The surprisingly long history of electric cars - Daniel Sperling and Gil Tal

Summary

In 1899, electric vehicles were popular due to their ease of use and cleanliness, but faced challenges with expensive, inefficient batteries. By 1915, advancements in internal combustion engines and cheaper gasoline made gas-powered cars dominant. However, concerns over oil availability and emissions in the 1970s reignited interest in electric vehicles. By the 1990s, improved battery technology and regulatory mandates led to a resurgence of electric cars. Today, with governments prioritizing climate change, electric vehicles are poised to replace gas-powered ones, as seen in Norway where 75% of car sales in 2020 were electric.

Takeaways

• 🚗 In 1899, steam-powered, gasoline-powered, and electric vehicles were the three major car options available.
• 💧 Steam cars required carrying extra water and had a long engine warm-up time.
• 🔧 Gasoline cars had the disadvantage of requiring hand-cranking to start and produced loud, smelly exhaust.
• 🔋 Electric vehicles were quick to start, clean, quiet, and easy to refuel with electricity, making them popular in the late 19th century.
• 📉 The high cost and inefficiency of early batteries hindered the long-term success of electric vehicles.
• 🛠️ Thomas Edison and others tried to improve battery technology, and battery exchange stations were an early attempt to solve range issues.
• 📉 The advent of the affordable Ford Model T in 1908, along with improvements in gasoline engines, led to a decline in electric vehicles' popularity.
• 🔄 In the 1970s, concerns about oil availability and environmental impacts renewed interest in electric vehicles.
• 🔬 The development of more efficient batteries, like nickel metal hydride and lithium-ion, paved the way for modern electric vehicles.
• 🚀 Tesla's introduction of the lithium-ion-powered Roadster in 2008 marked a significant milestone, with a range that almost doubled previous electric vehicle records.
• 🌍 Today, electric vehicles are improving in performance and cost-effectiveness, and global policies are encouraging their adoption to combat climate change.

Q & A

What were the three major options for car buyers in 1899?

In 1899, car buyers had three major options: steam-powered cars, gasoline-powered cars, and battery-powered electric vehicles.

What were the drawbacks of steam-powered cars during the late 19th century?

Steam-powered cars required carrying extra water for refueling and had a 30-minute engine warm-up time.

Why were gasoline-powered cars considered dangerous in their early days?

Gasoline-powered cars required hand-cranking to start, which was dangerous, and they emitted loud noises and foul-smelling exhaust.

Why did electric vehicles become popular at the end of the 19th century?

Electric vehicles were popular because they were quick to start, clean, quiet, and easy to refuel overnight if electricity was accessible.

What was the major problem with electric vehicles in the late 1800s?

The major problem was the expensive and inefficient batteries, which limited the range of electric vehicles.

What technological advancements made internal combustion engines more appealing in the early 20th century?

Electric starters, mufflers, and rubber engine mounts made internal combustion engines easier to start, quieter, and less vibrational.

How did the release of Ford's Model T impact the electric car industry?

The Model T was a cheap, high-quality gas-powered car that captured the public's imagination, leading to a significant decline in the popularity of electric cars.

What renewed interest in electric vehicles in the 1970s?

Concerns about oil availability in the US and studies linking car emissions to smog in cities like Los Angeles renewed interest in electric vehicles.

What types of batteries were developed in the 1990s that improved electric vehicle technology?

In the 1990s, energy-dense nickel metal hydride batteries and lithium-ion batteries were developed, which improved electric vehicle technology.

How did Tesla's Roadster change perceptions about electric vehicles in 2008?

Tesla's Roadster demonstrated that electric vehicles could travel more than 320 kilometers on a single charge, almost doubling the previous record and challenging the notion that electric cars had limited range.

What are some current policies that are encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles worldwide?

Policies such as California’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate and Europe’s aggressive CO2 emission standards are encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles by slowing investments in gas-powered vehicles.

What is the current status of electric vehicle sales in Norway, as mentioned in the script?

In 2020, 75% of car sales in Norway were plug-in electric vehicles, indicating a significant shift towards electric mobility.