The History of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are all the rage right now, but it's not for the first time. In fact, EVs have a long history.

The first electric-powered vehicles date back to the late 1820s. But because they didn't have rechargeable batteries, they were mostly novelties at that point.

In 1891, when the first commercially successful electric car was developed, batteries could be recharged, which further drove production. By 1900, 28% of the cars sold in the U.S. were electric.

So, what happened to curb the growth of electric vehicles? Henry Ford's assembly line, that's what happened. The Model T changed the automotive world by making cars affordable for the masses. Once gasoline engines no longer needed hand cranks, sales of electric vehicles started falling until they disappeared.

The EV market remained at a standstill until the early 1970s, when advances in battery technology, rising gasoline prices and legislation created the second, short-lived surge of interest in electric vehicles.

Similar conditions led to the current popularity of EVs. This time, however, they came along with $8 billion in loans from the U.S. Department of Energy to major manufacturers, and an improving infrastructure for charging away from home. By the start of 2018, there were about 25 different models of battery-powered vehicles on the market in the U.S.

What does the future look like for electric vehicles? If there continues to be advances in battery technology, pretty bright.

If you're ready to make the switch to an electric vehicle, SWEPCO is here to help! We offer information about owning and operating electric vehicles as well as a $250 rebate toward the purchase and installation of an ENERGY STAR certified Level 2 electric vehicle charger in residential customer homes.