With rising fuel prices and worrying CO2 emissions, electric cars are becoming an increasingly more attractive option. They even account for 40% of French car sales this year. But the electric car has not always been this valued.
Nobody really knows who created the first electric car. Although the first prototypes date from the 19th century, the term «car» was only defined in the 1830s by several inventors.
The glorious beginnings of the electric car
In 1834, Scottish Robert Anderson and American Thomas Davenport, pioneers or creators of the electric car, designed a carriage and an electric locomotive that looked more like an automobile.
It was not until 1852 that an electric car was marketed. But, we had to wait until 1859 for Gaston Planté to create the acid rechargeable battery. From 1881, electric vehicles were a real success thanks to three Frenchmen : Camille Faure, electrochemist, Charles Jeantaud, automaker and Nicolas Raffard, mechanical engineer. Together, they made electric cars much more reliable.
Despite the competition between electric, thermal and steam vehicles, in 1899 the electric car continued to be talked about with the «Jamais Contente» : an electric car exceeding 100 km/h. At the beginning of the 20th century, 38% of the US automobile market was electric. As you can imagine, this success did not last because in 1908, the Ford T broke all records: with cheap gasoline, this car was a symbol of engine power. Accessible to all, this vehicle destroyed all competition and sent the electric car into oblivion for more than 80 years.
1990 : the great return of electric cars
At the end of the 20th century, California passed the Zero Emission Vehicle Act*.
What is the Zero Emission Vehicle law* : Every manufacturer in California will need 2% of green vehicles sold in its 1998 sales to be able to market its other cars.
But in 2003, California withdrew its Zero Emission Act after being pressured by major car manufacturers. In 2008, the first 100% electric car was sold : Nissan’s Leaf. Tesla quickly overtook the competition with an electric roadster, with over 340 km of autonomy. Since the 2010’s, with greater environmental awareness, we are immersed in the era of electric cars.
To remember : 1852 : first electric car 1899 : «Jamais Contente» the first electric car that exceeds 100 km/h 1908 : End of electric cars with the Ford T = symbol of engine power, accessible to all, cheap gasoline 1990 : concern about toxic emissions + pollution of thermal cars 2008 : First 100% electric car : Nissan Leaf
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