History of electric cars

In the history of electric cars, there are positives and negatives. In the long run, the negative aspects of electric cars were twice the positive and the cars went into obscurity for decades.

EV Positives

Clean Machines: Around the late 1800s and early 1900s storage batteries were advanced enough to provide a decent in-town range. EVs were quiet and clean compared to early model ICE machines that belched smoke, leaked, and vibrated. Throughout car history, EVs have been the clean car choice.

Effecient: Electric motors are 90% or more efficient in most cases. In contrast, the internal combustion engine is only 30% or so efficient. This means that about 2/3 of the fuel in the typical gas tank is wasted as excess heat. This waste heat is useful in the winter, but is way more than you need to warm a car.

Ease of Operation: The early EV required no shifting. Early ICE transmissions required a skilled gearjammer to operate. The EV was popular with women and doctors who did not have the strength or time to turn the crank. It is reported that the wife of Henry Ford drove an EV.

Reliability: Early EVs were very reliable in comparison to the ICE. Early gas powered cars would kick back and sometimes even blow up.

Range Suited: Early good roads were mostly in towns. This worked well to the advantage of the limited range of the EV. The in-town range is actually what most local commuters require today.

Theft Deterrent: Say somebody steals your electric car. If it only has 10 miles worth of charge in the batteries, they won't get far!

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