A History of electric car positive and negative factors.
The negatives, Part 1.
EV Negatives 1
Range Perception: Probably no other single factor has had as much influence over the history of the electric car as range. The early EV was great in the cities, but most could not venture too far out of town where there might be no electricity at all, let alone a charging station of some sort. Actually, this was in large part a matter of planning, as in the note below.
NOTE: The Fritchle electric car traveled over rough 1908 roads from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Times Square, New York, in 20 days with very little mechanical trouble. ICE cars declined to even try.
The range perception problem is still with the EV today. Some people call it Range Anxiety. However, as with most anxieties, poor perception is part of the problem. EVs around the turn of the century could get from 40-100 and more miles per charge. One range champion got 180 miles on a charge. Today, the Tesla claims 244 miles on a charge, though uphill against the wind on a cold day in the fast lane, for example, you will most likely get less. The history of electric car range has been a constant negative factor in EV development.
Performance: Although early EVs could perform quite well, they tended to be limited by energy density concerns, especially as time went on and oil companies were happy to build thousands of gasoline service stations to market their energy product. Although most people do not need a 3-400 mile range on a day to day basis, having the option seems to give mental comfort.
Weight: Early EVs were heavy with their 800 lb battery packs. EVs stuck in the mud were hard to pull out, though batteries in the back would probably have helped traction. EVs with lead acid batteries are still very heavy.
Charging: There weren’t too many charging stations back in the day, and the electric grid was not well advanced. Widespread standard Alternating Current (AC) electricity was a ways off. EV charging times are still a matter of contention, though a lot of progress has been made. Interestingly, some electric cars had swappable battery packs back in the day!
Price: After 1908 and mass production of the Ford Model T, car prices plummeted. A Model T could be had for about $700. The Fritchle electric car above went for about $2,000 USD. Even though the Fritchle probably lasted over three times as long as the Model T and needed a LOT less work, people focused on the first-time higher cost of the electric car. That trend was to continue for the next 100 years.
