The Centenary History of Electric Vehicles: From Dominance to Decline and the Reasons for Their Revival

The battery issues that modern EVs face actually appeared over a century ago. After rechargeable batteries were introduced in the mid-19th century, EVs became a hot research topic among inventors and scientists across Europe and America.

In 1837, Scottish inventor Robert Davidson built an electrically-powered locomotive that more closely resembled a train.

In 1859, French physicist Gaston Plante invented the lead-acid battery, allowing EVs to increase their power through recharging.

In 1881, French scientist Camille Alphonse Faure improved battery design.

In 1884, British inventor Thomas Parker successfully manufactured a mass-produced EV (pictured below), with a top speed of 22.5 km/h and a range of 29 kilometers.

In 1888, German engineer Flocken Elektrowagen created a four-wheeled EV (pictured below) that used rechargeable lead-acid batteries and had a power output of 1 horsepower.

In 1896, American engineers Henry Morris and Pedro Salom introduced an EV with a top speed of 40 km/h and a range of 32 kilometers per charge.

In 1899, Belgian race car driver Camille Jenatzy set a speed record of 105.88 km/h in the EV "La Jamais Contente," making it the first EV to exceed 100 km/h.

In 1885, German Karl Friedrich Benz (founder of Mercedes-Benz) launched the first gasoline-powered four-wheeled vehicle (pictured below), officially kicking off the battle between gasoline cars and EVs.

During the 1890s to the 1910s, EVs, with their quiet operation, zero emissions, and simple handling, were particularly popular among urban residents. It is said that EVs had a market share of 38% in the U.S. at the time, while gasoline cars only held 22%.

However, as road quality and networks improved and oil became more accessible, with gas stations being built en masse, the speed and range of gasoline cars improved significantly, and they became increasingly popular. One of the key factors was the Ford Model T, introduced in 1908, which adopted assembly line production, drastically reducing the price and attracting many people to switch from EVs to gasoline cars. The Model T sold a total of 15 million units, making it a major factor in the widespread adoption of gasoline cars.

In contrast, EVs, limited by technology at the time, saw development stagnate. As a result, many EV manufacturers closed down starting in 1910, and the world officially entered the era of gasoline cars.

After gasoline cars dominated the automotive world, their rapid development over the years significantly increased global oil demand. However, the oil crises of the 1970s and 1990s led countries to reassess the impact of energy consumption and the environment. Along with the growing calls for sustainable development and energy conservation, the EV solution once again gained attention worldwide.

Another reason EVs returned to the spotlight was the 1971 Apollo 15 mission, during which the first lunar rover, powered by electricity, was sent to the moon. This indirectly turned EVs into a symbol of "future technology," prompting countries to intensify their efforts to develop EVs.

In fact, as early as the 1970s, private companies and governments began exploring the feasibility of reintroducing civilian EVs. For example, British automaker Enfield launched the two-seater EV Enfield 8000 in 1973, with a range of 64 km and a top speed of 77 km/h. In 1971, Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry established the "Electric Vehicle Development Plan," and in 1976, the U.S. Congress passed the "Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act."

Although EVs regained attention, their development was slow in the 1980s and 1990s due to technological limitations and the low price of gasoline. EVs were mainly used in specific fields, such as short-distance urban transportation and warehouse forklifts, but overall, the EV industry struggled to regain its former glory, with only small-scale production and limited adoption.

It wasn’t until the 21st century, thanks to significant advancements in battery technology, that EVs began to gain popularity. The energy density and charging speed of lithium-ion batteries improved significantly over the past few decades. Additionally, new battery technologies, such as solid-state and lithium-sulfur batteries, are under development, promising to further enhance EV range and safety, making EVs more suitable for users.

When Elon Musk took over Tesla in 2004, the company launched the Tesla Roadster in 2008, based on the Lotus Elise. The Roadster had a range of 393 kilometers and could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Although the Roadster’s price exceeded $100,000 (around HK$780,000), and only 2,450 units were sold during its four years on the market, it marked a new chapter in modern EV history. Tesla subsequently launched a series of popular models, such as the Model S, Model X, and Model 3, with significant improvements in performance and range, gradually capturing the EV market.

On the other hand, Japan, another automotive powerhouse, has seen its EV development stall. For example, Nissan introduced the Altra EV in 1998 with a range of about 193 kilometers and a top speed of about 120 km/h, but it was only available for corporate purchase. It wasn't until over a decade later, in 2010, that Nissan released the mass-produced Leaf EV. Although the Leaf has been on the market for years, it lags behind competitors in terms of range and continues to insist on using a proprietary charging plug, limiting its widespread adoption.

However, when it comes to passion for EVs, domestic brands in China are undoubtedly leading the way. Not only is the government strongly supporting the EV industry, but the country has also rapidly expanded its EV charging station network. In just over a decade, the industry has developed rapidly, with numerous brands flourishing. Companies like BYD, NIO, Li Auto, XPeng, and even Xiaomi have launched impressive models, with excellent performance in battery management, motor efficiency, smart systems, and autonomous driving, contributing to the widespread adoption of EVs.