Electric Cars Were a Big Deal at the Turn of the Century. The Last Century.
Electric vehicles were popular in the early 20th century, with around a third of American vehicles being electric by 1900, but they declined as gasoline-powered cars became cheaper and more convenient. The electric car 'went underground' after being beaten by gasoline-powered vehicles, but its history remains relevant today.
Electric vehicles have a history dating back to the 1830s. By the 1900s, they were popular in the US, with around a third of vehicles being electric. Companies like Columbia and Detroit Electric were selling electric cars, which were seen as a refined luxury option, particularly among women. However, the rise of gasoline-powered cars, led by Henry Ford's Model T, changed the landscape. The introduction of the electric starter in 1912 further eroded the appeal of electric vehicles. As gasoline-powered cars became cheaper and more convenient, electric vehicles declined, eventually 'going underground'.
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