History of Electric vehicles from 1830

                         Introduction

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from automotive vehicles are tremendous problems for the climate. The automotive industries are confronting significant issues to

reduce greenhouse gases emissions, which have a direct impact on the environment. The automotive industries are manufacturing Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and Full Electric Vehicles (FEVs) with less carbon emission to reduce the effect of carbon dioxide emissions. 

Internal combustion engines have been dominating since a long term, hence the exploitation on fossils have increased drastically, which is getting depleted. The idea of propulsion of automobiles using electric motors came to light from early 19th century itself. Hence to

compensate for fossil depletion, reducing pollution levels and as an alternate and more efficient source propulsion, demand for electric vehicles are expected to be the most

dependent source of transport in near future.

       History of electric vehicle

1830 : Joseph Henry Introduces the first DC Powered Motor

1830-1835 : Several inventors in US and Europe build their first prototypes of small scale electric cars.

1832 : Robert Anderson develops the first crude electric vehicle in Britain using non rechargeable  batteries.

1834 : The first (rail) EV was studied and suggested in 1834 by Thomas Davenport in the US.

1859 : French physicist Gaston Plante invents the rechargeable lead-acid storage battery. It was later improved by Camille Faure in 1881.

1874 : With the advent of the lead acid battery, David Solomous successfully built a rechargeable battery powered EV.

1884 : English inventor Thomas Parker builds the first practical production electric car in London.

1889-1891 : William Morrison from Lowa creates the first successful electric automobile in the US an electrified wagon for 6 passenger with top speed of 14 mph.

1901 : Ferdinand Porsche creates the Lohner-Porshe Mixte, the world’s first hybrid electric car, powered by a battery and a gas engine.

1908-1912 : Ford introduced the Model-T and it delivers a blow to electric vehicles due to the high driving range and affordability. With the invention of the automobile started motor by Ketter in 1912, the need for operating a hand crank to start the ICE vehicle was gone.

1920-1935 : Decline in Electric Vehicles and complete takeover by gasoline vehicles owing to cheaper cars and low price of oil.

1968-1973 : Gas price soar creating renewed interest in the development and use of electric vehicles amongst several auto manufacturers. Government enact legislation recommending the use of electric vehicles as a mean of reducing air pollution. EV prototypes developed in the period were limited by low range and top speed.

1971 : NASA’s Lunar Rover drives on the moon and runs on electricity.

1969-1972 : BMW debuted its first electric car concept, BMW 1602E at the 1972 Summer olympics with a lead acid battery and using a 32 KW motor.

1974-1977 : US company Sebring-vanguard launches it’s Citicar, an electric vehicle with a 50 mile range, 30 mph top speed and using the lead acid battery. The Zele a small electric car is produced by the Italian company Zagato. The vehicle could reach 45 mph and had a range of 60 miles. The Enfield 8000 built by Enfield Automotive uses lead acid batteries and has a top speed of 48 mph and a range of about 40 miles.

1994 : The REVA electric car company formed in India to make Evs exclusively. The first car REVAi was launched in 2001 with 50 mile range.

1996 : GM releases the EV1, an ev with 80 mile range using lead acid batteries. It uses a custom wireless charging system.

1997 : Toyota introduces the first mass produced hybrid, Prius in Japan, which used a Nickel Metal Hydride battery. It would eventually go on to become the best selling hybrid in the world.

1997-2000 : Research to improve electric vehicles and batteries takes steam amongst several auto manufacturers and research institutions. Several Evs such as Honda’s EV plus, Ford’s Ranger pickup EV, Nissan's Altra EV, Chevy’s S-10 EV and Toyota’s RAV4 EV are produced by big car manufacturers.

2006 : Silicon Valley start-up Tesla unveils the Tesla Roadster which was the first ev with more than 200 mile range using a 53 kwh battery. The car came 3 yrs after Tesla was founded in 2003 and sales began in 2008.

2008 : BYD releases the F3DM, the world’s first mass produced plug in hybrid compact sedan in China with 16 Kwh battery pack. The Think City electric car from Norway and Mitsubishi i-MiEV are introduced with up to a 100 mile range. GM releases the Chevy Volt, plug in hybrid electric vehicle which will eventually becomes the bestselling PHEV in the world. Public sales of the i-MiEV began in 2009 while that of the F3DM and Volt in 2010.

2010 : Nissan begins sale of the LEAF, an all electric car with 100 mile range using a 24 kwh battery.

2012 : After being unveiled in 2009, Tesla began sale of the Model S EV with 85 Kwh lithium ion battery and EPA range of 265 miles. In the same year, Tesla unveils the Model X, an electric SUV/crossover with similar performance to the Model S.

2011-2013 : Massive drop in the prices of EV batteries leads to several Evs being launched commercially. 

2014 : numerous 100% electric and plug in hybrid electric vehicles are now on the market from BMW, BYD, Cadillac, Chevy, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Mia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Smart, Tesla, Toyota, Via, Volvo, Volkswagen, Wheego.

2016 : GM launches the Chevy Bolt, the world’s first sub 40,000$ EV with a range greater than 200 miles. Tesla announces its affordable Tesla Model III with range of about 200 miles and a base price of about $30,000.

And so on..........

Benefits of Electric vehicles over conventional vehicles

1.Low heat generation.

2.Lower center of gravity which increases car’s stability. Thus, overall safety is increased. Structural rigidity over side collision.

3.Wide speed range.

4.Great Torque.

 5.Far superior traction control.

Regenerative braking.

6.Cost of travel is very low.

7.Eco-Friendly.