The Surprising Early History of Electric Vehicles

When people think of electric vehicles, they often picture cutting-edge technology and futuristic design — but EVs actually have a history stretching back nearly two centuries.

The first crude electric carriage was built in 1832 by Robert Anderson, powered by non-rechargeable batteries. Over 50 years later, in 1884, London inventor Thomas Parker created the first practical, fully electric production car, using his own rechargeable batteries — decades before petrol cars dominated the roads.

By 1891, electric motoring had reached the United States thanks to William Morrison, whose vehicle sparked widespread interest across the Atlantic. Then, in 1897, electric power took to the streets of New York City, where a fleet of electric taxis built by the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company of Philadelphia began operating.

Even Thomas Edison got involved, experimenting with improved electric car batteries in 1899.

So while electric vehicles may seem like a modern revolution, they’re actually a revival of ideas that first took hold well over a century ago.