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History of Electric CarsThe Past, Present and Future of Electric Cars.So, where do we start with the history of electric cars? One of the first things I wanted to do when begining my search for the ideal electric vehicle for me and my family, was to go back into the past and see where they came from, what they looked like, and what really worked.Let's Start with the Past: One of the first amazing facts I found out is that Electric Vehicles actually go all the way back to the 1800's, which is not what I was expecting! The first electric vehicles were actually trains. Later on - after improvements to battery technology and because they were quieter and ran smoother than other cars - the use of electric cars started to grow hugely.  They were popular for a while
back then but ended up too expensive and not fast enough to keep up with the fuel-burning car.
The biggest blow to them was probably the mass production of Henry Fords’ petrol powered cars which cost about half of what the electric cars did.  The electric car put up a good fight though because at one point they even outsold internal combustion engine (i.c.e.) cars and amazingly held the land speed record until 1899! Also if you think the Toyota Prius was the first hybrid car, think again as the first hybrid was made in 1900.  After that, however, it was all downhill for quite a while. The Electric Car really vanished on the roads from the 1930's until resurfacing again in the 1960/70's when the need for an alternative to petrol-powered cars started to become obvious again. But, come on - would you buy a car that looked like this???  Roll on to the 1990's and GM builds the first production EV from the ground up in quite some time - and kills it off again in 2003! (something to do with cheap, cheap petrol). It really wasn't until nowadays - the late 2000's - that Electric Cars REALLY started to appear on the horizon again. Which brings us up to ...... The Present. 
So when I first wrote this article back in 2008 the big year for electric cars seemed to be in 2010.
There were plenty of big manufacturers planning to bring their electric cars to the masses and the future was looking bright!
However most of these plans either fell through or got pushed back which seems to always be the way it is with electric vehicles. A few things did get through though like the Nissan Leaf which went on sale for the first time in the USA in December 2010. The Chevy Volt also went on sale around the same time in the US. The Mitsubishi MiEV went on sale in it's home country of Japan in 2009.
These are the first major manufacturers to really come through with their promises of delivering their electric cars on time.
The one thing that really feels like progress is when I can go to a local mainstream dealer like Nissan where I live in Ireland and order a real electric car
and not just get a promise for the future!
Other Electric Cars ArticlesTesla Electric Car The electric sports car that everybody wants, but not everybody can afford! Tesla Electric Car The electric sports car that everybody wants, but not everybody can afford! Zenn Electric Car A nice practical NEV from Canada. GEM Electric Car An NEV with doors as an option! Mainly used for getting around a resort clean and fast. Zap Electric Car Three-wheeler cars, mini trucks and minivans are whats on offer from Zap electric cars. Nissan Leaf The 2011 world car of the year. What more can I say? Tango T600 A zippy two seater that can beat any sports car off the line. George Clooney has one too! Think Electric Car Norways answer to an electric car. Electric Cars Available Now Electric cars for sale right now nad also a glimpse of what's coming up in the next few years. Solar Electric Cars Electric cars that are powered cleanly and safely by the sun! Ford Focus Electric Car The electric version of the popular Ford Focus, as seen on the Jay Leno show. Electric Car Design What does it take to design a great electric car? Is it any different from a regular one? Electric Car Conversion You can always just convert the car you already know and love to run off clean electricity instead of the engine it already has. How Electric Vehicles Work Have you ever wondered what is actually inside an electric car? Well this is your chance to find out! Back from History of Electric Cars to Electric Vehicles Home |
New!Leave a CommentI have been writing my opinions here on the site since 2008 trying to find the perfect electric vehicle. However I would always like to read your thoughts on all-electric vehicles and comments about the site so........ You can also leave comments about any page at the bottom of each page. |
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So, where next? What's happening over the
next few years in the world of Electric Cars?
That much said, there are
quite a few plans for All-Electric Vehicles and 
So ... I don't know
where the future of Electic Cars is going. They seem to have a future - except we won't really see how it pans out until years have come and gone.
My guess is that people who drive Toyota Prius's at the moment will switch to plug-in versions when they come out.
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