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History of the Electric Car
- Thread starter muleferg
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- Electric Vehicles
bluenation
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havent watched this yet, does the doc deal with the unfortunate conspiracy theory peddled by some EV enthusiasts that ICE won over EV in the early 20th century because of some back door shady tactics by oil companies?
Actually the answer to your question is on the page the OP linked to. Quote:
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Decline of the Electric Vehicle
For the following reasons the electric car declined in popularity. It was several decades before there was a renewed interest.
By the 1920s, America had a better system of roads that now connected cities, bringing with it the need for longer-range vehicles.
The discovery of Texas crude oil reduced the price of gasoline so that it was affordable to the average consumer.
The invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering in 1912 eliminated the need for the hand crank.
The initiation of mass production of internal combustion engine vehicles by Henry Ford made these vehicles widely available and affordable in the $500 to $1,000 price range. By contrast, the price of the less efficiently produced electric vehicles continued to rise. In 1912, an electric roadster sold for $1,750, while a gasoline car sold for $650.
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While the oil companies would have certainly wanted the ICE to become the principle form of motive power for automobiles, the reasons listed above likely explain why EVs fell out of favor a century ago.
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Decline of the Electric Vehicle
For the following reasons the electric car declined in popularity. It was several decades before there was a renewed interest.
By the 1920s, America had a better system of roads that now connected cities, bringing with it the need for longer-range vehicles.
The discovery of Texas crude oil reduced the price of gasoline so that it was affordable to the average consumer.
The invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering in 1912 eliminated the need for the hand crank.
The initiation of mass production of internal combustion engine vehicles by Henry Ford made these vehicles widely available and affordable in the $500 to $1,000 price range. By contrast, the price of the less efficiently produced electric vehicles continued to rise. In 1912, an electric roadster sold for $1,750, while a gasoline car sold for $650.
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While the oil companies would have certainly wanted the ICE to become the principle form of motive power for automobiles, the reasons listed above likely explain why EVs fell out of favor a century ago.
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