Electric Vehicle

In 1800, Italian physicist Alessandro Volta developed the voltaic pile, which laid the foundation for the modern battery and revolutionized the storage of electricity.

In 1821, English chemist Michael Faraday invented an electric motor driven by a voltaic pile, contributing to the advancement of electric vehicle technology.

The first electric car was produced around 1835, possibly even a few years earlier. Electric vehicles (EVs) have a longer history than cars with internal combustion engines.

Robert Davidson, a Scottish chemist, is credited with creating the first electric vehicle, an electric locomotive with a top speed of four mph.

Scottish chemist Robert Davidson invents an electric locomotive that could travel at 4 mph, although slower than steam locomotives of the time.

The lead-acid battery is invented, marking a significant development in battery technology.

French inventor Gustave Trouvé tested the first human-carrying electric vehicle with its own power source along a Paris street in April 1881. He fitted an electric motor to an English tricycle, making it the world's first electric vehicle.

Gustave Trouvé tested his 5-metre boat prototype, Le Téléphone, powered by a battery-powered motor, reaching speeds of 3.6 km/h upstream and 9.0 km/h downstream on May 26, 1881.

English professor William Ayrton and Irish professor John Perry invent a three-wheeled electric vehicle capable of traveling up to 25 miles at 9 mph. English financier Paul Bedford Elwell and engineer Thomas Parker start manufacturing rechargeable batteries.

In 1883, Thomas Edison sat on the first electric truck, marking a significant milestone in the history of electric vehicles.

English inventor Thomas Parker built his first electric car in Wolverhampton in 1884. He was responsible for electrifying the London Underground and other innovations.

Irishman John Boyd Dunlop's pneumatic tires enhance the comfort of riding electric vehicles.

German engineer Andreas Flocken built the first real electric car in 1888, contributing to the widespread development of electric vehicles.

In 1890, William Morrison from Des Moines, Iowa, introduced a six-passenger electric wagon that could reach a maximum speed of 14 mph, significantly faster than the standard stagecoach's 5 mph.

In 1897, the Morris and Salom Electric Carriage and Wagon Company operated electric cabs in New York City with 'lightning cabbies.' Similar electric cab services also emerged in Paris and London.

In 1898, Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat achieved the fastest land vehicle speed in the world at 39.24 mph, setting a record for electric vehicles.

Camille Jenatzy broke the 100 km/h speed barrier on April 29, 1899, in his 'rocket-shaped' vehicle Jamais Contente, reaching a top speed of 105.88 km/h.

Henry Ford introduces the Model T in 1908, which quickly gained popularity with 15,000 orders placed within the first year, revolutionizing the automobile industry.

The mass-produced internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, notably Ford's Model T, were introduced in 1914. This marked a significant shift in the automotive industry towards gasoline-powered cars, leading to a decline in the popularity of electric vehicles.

In 1959, the Eureka Williams Corporation introduced the Henney Kilowatt electric vehicle, with a top speed of 60 mph and a range of 60 miles. Only 100 vehicles were ever produced.

In 1962, Peel Engineering introduced the three-wheeled electric P50 Microcar, known as the smallest production car in history. Enthusiasts later re-introduced it in 2011.

In 1964, General Motors began work on the Electrovair, a modified Corvair with a powerful electric motor. However, poor battery design led to the vehicle never making it to the market.

SebringVanguard introduces the CitiCar, which disappoints American consumers due to its low top speed of 38 mph for the 'high-power' edition. A total of 2,300 cars are sold.

General Motors introduced the GM Impact electric concept car at the 1990 Los Angeles Auto Show, signaling their intention to produce electric cars for sale to the public.

In 1982, the U.S. Department of Energy boosts funding for hybrid and electric vehicle research and development, leading to advancements in electric powertrains.

Sinclair Vehicles launches the C5, a single-person electric vehicle with limited weather protection and a range of only 20 miles. Production halts within 8 months, with only 5,000 units sold.

CARB initiated a push for more fuel-efficient, lower-emissions vehicles, leading automakers to develop electric models like the Chrysler TEVan, Ford Ranger EV, GM EV1, and Toyota RAV4 EV.

General Motors unveils the EV1 as the first mass-produced electric vehicle, but faces backlash as it cancels leases prematurely, withdraws the vehicle, and controversially scraps it in 2002.

After public protests, Toyota made the last 328 RAV4-EVs available for sale to the general public until November 22, 2002, amidst the withdrawal of other production electric cars from the market.

In 2006, Tesla Motors, a small Silicon Valley startup, announced the production of a luxury electric sports car that could travel over 200 miles on a single charge. This event reshaped the electric vehicle industry and spurred other automakers to accelerate their work on electric vehicles.

The Tesla Model S was released in the U.S. on 22 June 2012, marking the introduction of a groundbreaking electric vehicle model to the American market.

Coda Automotive, the manufacturer of Coda sedan, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 1 May 2013, leading to the discontinuation of car production and a shift towards energy storage solutions.

The Tesla Model 3, a more affordable version of the Model S, was introduced to target a wider audience. By the end of 2020, it became the highest-selling electric vehicle globally.

In October 2018, Tesla achieved a milestone by delivering its 100,000th Model 3, showcasing the popularity and demand for this electric vehicle.

The Model 3 reached the 100,000 unit sales milestone in the U.S. in November 2018, setting a record for the fastest-selling model in the country.

In January 2019, the Tesla Model 3 surpassed the Model S to become the best-selling all-electric car in the U.S., solidifying its position in the market.

In March 2020, Tesla made history by becoming the first auto manufacturer to produce 1 million electric cars, showcasing its significant contribution to the electric vehicle market.

By June 2021, the Tesla Model 3 achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing 1 million units sold globally, marking a significant achievement in the electric car industry.

The all-electric Formula E race is scheduled to take place in Brooklyn over the weekend, showcasing the excitement of electric vehicle racing.

In June 2022, the combined sales of plug-in electric cars and light-duty commercial vans doubled to 20 million units since 2010, indicating a rapid growth in the electric vehicle market.

General Motors (GM) has announced their intention to cease production of gasoline-powered passenger cars, vans, and SUVs by the year 2035.