Pioneers of the Electric Car Movement: Big Names & Little-Known Inventors

In today's world, where the electric vehicle (EV) market is expanding rapidly, it's invaluable to remember the individuals and teams that made such a beautiful form of transportation possible. Let's take a look at the EV pioneers—the big names and the lesser-knowns—and what they contributed to the EV revolution.

Summary:

Big Names

• Karl Benz: dubbed the “Father of the Modern Motor Vehicle,” Karl Benz was one of the most important pioneers of the electric car movement. In 1894, he presented a three-wheeled electric vehicle—dubbed the “Motorwagen”—with a four-horsepower electric motor. Production of the vehicle began the following year and continues to this day.
• Henry Ford: in 1896, Henry Ford produced his first EV called the Quadricycle, which gave us a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles. By 1903, Ford's EV had become the first vehicle to be driven across the United States.
• Thomas Edison: one of the biggest names in the EV industry, Thomas Edison is credited with creating the famous nickel-iron battery, or Edison Battery, which was used in the first successful EV in 1907. Furthermore, Edison also invented an EV motor that could travel up to 120 miles on a single charge.

Little-Known Inventors

• Robert Anderson: credited as being the first person to produce a successful EV in 1832, Robert Anderson's EV was powered by non-rechargeable batteries. Anderson was able to travel up to 6 miles with a single charge and his invention is considered the first of its kind.
• David Watson: in 1889, David Watson patented the first gasoline-powered EV and by 1901, the New York Times had featured it in an article. Watson's EV was able to travel 50 mph and could travel up to 25 miles on a single charge.
• Albert Paraf: in 1934, Albert Paraf, a French engineer, invented the first EV generator. It was called the alternator and had the ability to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy. This technology revolutionized the EV industry and soon after, other inventors began to contribute their own inventions.

The Impact of Pioneers

The pioneers of the EV movement have had a major impact on the automotive industry. In the past decade, the EV market has grown exponentially, with global EV sales increasing by nearly 300% from 2010 to 2017. With such a surge in EV adoption, it's clear that the pioneers' inventions are still being used today. Furthermore, the EV industry was bolstered by government incentives and subsidies, which have made EV ownership much more affordable for consumers. Today, EV ownership is beginning to rival that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and it's safe to say that it's all thanks to the pioneers who helped bring the EV revolution to life.

Conclusion

Without the hard work and dedication of the EV pioneers, the automotive industry would not be where it is today. From Robert Anderson and his non-rechargeable battery-powered EV to Henry Ford's iconic Quadricycle and Karl Benz's motorwagen, EV technology has progressed substantially over the years. Today, EV technology is taking the world by storm, with EV sales continuing to soar in countries like the United States, China, and Norway. It's no surprise that EV pioneers have had such a massive impact on the automotive industry and their legacy will surely be remembered for years to come.