Unlike many contemporary technologies that have experienced rapid development, the history of electric vehicles (EVs) reflects a trajectory marked by significant fluctuations. While it is often assumed that electromobility is a recent innovation, its roots actually extend back nearly two centuries.
The Origins of Electric Vehicles
In the nineteenth century, numerous innovators contributed to the conception of the first electric vehicle. Around 1828, Hungarian inventor Ányos Jedlik established the groundwork for the first electric motor, while American inventor Thomas Davenport explored electrified tracks. However, it was Scottish inventor Robert Anderson who is credited with developing the first electric vehicle around 1830, predating Rudolf Diesel and Karl F. Benz’s combustion engines in 1885. (1) (2)
Anderson’s design, while rudimentary and impractical—powered by non-rechargeable cells—had limited range and autonomy (3). Nonetheless, it laid the groundwork for subsequent models across Europe and the United States, fostering improvements in electric motor components. The invention of the rechargeable battery also significantly advanced electromobility.
These early developments demonstrated the potential of electricity as a source of propulsion. Despite their limited range and low speeds, these initial prototypes paved the way for electrified carriages accommodating up to twelve passengers.
By 1900, electric vehicles reached their zenith, comprising approximately one-third of all vehicles on the road in the United States. (4)
At the dawn of the 20th century, American automobiles operated on:
Britannica: History of the automobile. Early electric automobiles. https://www.britannica.com/technology/automobile/Early-electric-automobiles
A 1911 New York Times article heralded electric vehicles as “the cars of the future.” (5)
However, this landscape changed rapidly. The large-scale adoption of electric vehicles faced challenges, including limited access to electricity in rural areas, the low cost of gasoline, and the affordability of combustion vehicles. The mass production of the Ford Model T revolutionized both transportation and manufacturing, leading to a decline in public interest in electric vehicles for over 70 years. (7)
The Resurgence of Electric Vehicles
The current resurgence in electric vehicle popularity can be attributed to many of the same factors that initially drove their adoption—quiet operation, minimal vibration, and the absence of fumes and odors. Additionally, the growing global emphasis on environmental sustainability, coupled with increasingly stringent emissions regulations and governmental incentives for clean transportation, has rekindled interest in EVs.
As of 2023, nearly 20% of cars sold were electric, according to IEA (8). Recent years have witnessed a global surge in electric vehicle adoption, driven by their environmental benefits, efficiency, and performance. Advancements in technology, particularly in battery longevity and charging infrastructure, have made EVs more accessible and convenient.
Electrification has permeated various modes of transportation, including cars, trolleybuses, trains, and bicycles, as well as freight transport—crucial for the global economy as it facilitates the movement of goods.
Today, we are confronted with the challenge of reducing emissions from one of the most significant contributors to global pollution: the freight sector. Electric trucks, powered by solar energy, are emerging as a sustainable solution for logistics, representing a technologically and economically viable path toward greener practices.
Over time, humanity has come to recognize the importance of environmental stewardship. We understand that the key to a sustainable future lies in embracing renewable energies, like solar power, and gradually reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The transition to electric mobility is gaining momentum; it is time to change course.🌞⚡
Sunshine Delivers’ electric trucks harness clean, renewable solar energy through rechargeable batteries,
enabling them to operate without emitting pollutants or relying on fossil fuels.
Sources and references.
- https://www.iberdrola.com/sostenibilidad/historia-coche-electrico
- https://www.britannica.com/technology/automobile/Early-electric-automobiles
- https://www.story-cars.com/1832-1839-robert-anderson-s-electric-carriage
- https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car
- https://www.iberdrola.com/sostenibilidad/historia-coche-electrico
- https://www.britannica.com/technology/automobile/Early-electric-automobiles
- https://www.bbva.com/es/sostenibilidad/que-es-el-automovil-electrico/
- https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024/trends-in-electric-cars
