Current automotive magazines, auto shows, and dealer show rooms applaud the technology of the electric car. Many people think this is a new technological innovation as a result of high gasoline prices and the energy crisis. Electricity was among the preferred methods of auto propulsion beginning at the birth of the auto industry in the early 1900’s. Electric cars provided a level of comfort and ease of operation that was not possible in a gasoline powered auto.

There were three modes of engines when cars came to market about 1907 – the engines were: steam, gasoline and electric. Electric cars outsold the other two methods as they targeted woman drivers who had trouble

crank starting a vehicle. Also, electric cars did not have the negative of the smell of gasoline fumes. Steam engines although efficient created more heat than was comfortable during summer driving. The decision to focus on

gas powered engines was the result of low gas prices and Henry Ford’s decision to focus on that method. Imagine the state of our industry now if electric engines had over a hundred years of advances. If engineers had been

working on electric cars since the 1920’s, our automotive dependency on gasoline would look different.

The Detroit Electric Car Company made over 12,000 electric cars between 1907-1939. The cost of a vehicle in 1922 was about $300, which equals $38,000 currently. Top speed was 25 mph with a range of 100 miles

before it needed a recharge. Thomas Edison created an electric car but was more involved in other electrical projects. Since his friend, Henry Ford, favored the gasoline engine, Mr. Edison agreed it was the best mode for a

car.

   Presently, we see every automotive manufacturer either having a hybrid car (a combination between electric and gasoline motor) or working to get one to the public. The top driving range of our modern vehicles is

about 100 miles until a recharge is needed. This is the same as in 1922. Today’s electric cars average top speed is approximately 95 MPH. Some high-end electric cars like the Telsa, produced by Telsa Motors, can go from 0 to 60 MPH in under 4 seconds.

  Electric cars have been around since the dawn of the motor age. It’s not new technology. It is the challenge of our modern engineers to make the electric and hybrid vehicles affordable and convenient before being accepted

by the average consumer.