BEGINNINGS

Who invented the first electric vehicle (EV) is uncertain as several inventors have been given the credit. Between 1832-1839, Robert Anderson of Scotland invented a crude electric-powered carriage. In 1835, Professor Stratingh with the help of Christopher Becker made a small-scale electric car and Thomas Davenport, a blacksmith from Brandon, Vermont, made it too. Davenport is also credited for making the first American-built DC electric motor.

BETTER BATTERIES

The more practical and more successful electric vehicles took shape in 1842 with the inventions of Thomas Davenport and Scotsman Robert Davidson. They were the first to use the newly-invented, non-rechargeable electric cells (batteries). In 1865, Frenchman Gaston Planté developed further on the storage of these batteries. And in 1881, his fellow countryman Camille Alphonse Faure even further developed on his workings.

AMERICAN DESIGNS

In the late 1800s, France and Great Britain became the first nations to support the widespread development of electric vehicles. In 1899, a Belgian-built electric racing car, called “La Jamais Contente,” set a world record of 68mph.

It was not until 1895 that the Americans began to devote attention to electric cars after an electric tricycle was built by A. L. Ryker, in 1891, and William Morrison built a six-passenger wagon, in 1890. Many innovations followed and interest in EVs increased greatly in late 1890s and early 1900s. In fact it is believed that William Morrison’s design that had space for passengers was the first real and practical EV.

FUN FACT

1. La Jamais Contente was the first car to reach land speeds of about 100km/hr!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

thoughtco.com