The early history of the Electric Vehicle

Did you know that

EV technology is not new. In fact, it even predates the modern internal combustion engine (ICE) as a form of propulsion. Car enthusiasts who are familiar with automotive history would know this, but for those curious, a visit to Jay Leno’s Garage on YouTube is an excellent resource. A few of these early electric cars still survive today and are maintained by Leno. Amazing how EV technology is almost as old as the car itself.

The history of the electric car spans a relatively brief time period and includes early innovation, periods of decline, and a major resurgence in the 21st century. ACMobility has embraced this latest shift to green motoring, and not only sells the world’s most innovative and modern EVs, but also continues to expand the nationwide EV charging network to support motorists who have chosen to go electric.

Here's a concise overview of the history of the EV:

Early History (1830s–1900s)

1830s–1840s: Inventors in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the U.S. developed early prototypes of small-scale electric vehicles (EVs), using non-rechargeable batteries.

1859: The invention of the rechargeable lead-acid battery by Gaston Planté made electric transport more practical.

1880s–1890s: Innovators like Thomas Parker in the UK and William Morrison in the U.S. built more functional electric vehicles. By the 1890s, electric taxis and passenger vehicles became common in cities like New York and London.

Golden Age (1900–1912)

By this time electric cars were more popular than gasoline or steam-powered vehicles. They were quiet, easy to drive, and didn’t emit pollutants.

But it was an electric component that propelled gasoline powered vehicles to popularity. With the arrival of the electric starter, gasoline-powered vehicles did not need to be cranked by hand to start them.

Decline (1910s–1930s)

After the invention of the electric starter which made gas-powered cars easier to use, mass production of gasoline vehicles (notably Ford’s Model T) drove down costs. Gasoline also became cheap and widely available, while electric vehicles suffered from limited range and poor infrastructure. By the 1930s, EVs had nearly disappeared from the market.

Dormancy and Limited Use (1930s–1980s)

EVs survived in niche markets—like milk floats in the UK or industrial carts. The 1970s oil crisis renewed brief interest in EVs, but battery and performance limitations stalled broader adoption.

Renewed Interest (1990s)

Environmental concerns and environmental regulations in California led automakers to revisit EVs. Notable models to make an appearance during this time were the GM EV1 (1996)—leased to a small number of users but later controversially recalled and crushed—and the Toyota RAV4 EV, Honda EV Plus.

Modern Era and Mass Adoption (2000s–Present)

In 2008 Tesla Motors released the Tesla Roadster, the first highway-legal electric car with lithium-ion battery range over 200 miles. This revolutionized public perception of EVs.

In 2010 The Nissan Leaf became the first mass-market electric car. Governments worldwide began offering subsidies, building charging infrastructure, and setting emission targets. Legacy automakers (like GM, Ford, and VW) entered the market with new EV models. Technological improvements, especially in battery tech, helped reduce cost and increase range.

Present Day (2020s)

Electric cars have entered the mainstream. Major brands (Hyundai, BMW, Rivian, and Lucid) are growing fast, but BYD is the current leader. Global EV sales have surpassed 10 million units in 2023, and some countries like Norway have set dates to end new ICE vehicle sales in the not too far future. Infrastructure is expanding rapidly, especially in the Philippines, thanks to ACMobility.