The Evolution of Electric Vehicles

Contrary to popular belief, electric vehicles (EVs) date back to the 19th century. The first electric carriage was developed by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson in the 1830s, predating gasoline cars.

New York City once had a fleet of electric taxis in 1897, created by the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company. This early adoption of EVs showcased their potential for urban transportation.

The invention of the electric starter, cheaper petrol prices, and mass production of internal combustion vehicles led to a decline in electric vehicle popularity post-1920s.

The 1970s oil crisis and rising environmental concerns reignited interest in EVs. Legislation like the Clean Air Act of 1970 set the stage for electric vehicle development.

General Motors released the EV1 in 1996, marking the first mass-produced electric vehicle of the modern era. Despite its eventual discontinuation, it sparked a new wave of EV innovation.

Tesla Motors, founded in 2003, revolutionized the EV market with the Roadster's debut in 2008, boasting a 245-mile range on a single charge, unprecedented for electric cars at the time.

China leads the world in EV adoption, with aggressive policies and subsidies. Norway, with more than half of new cars sold being electric, exemplifies high per capita EV penetration.