when was the first electric car built

[AliviaLee]

The first electric car was built in 1832, well before the gasoline-powered Model T. Scottish inventor Robert Anderson created a crude but functional electric-powered carriage. However, the more practical and recognized first electric car was developed by Thomas Parker, a British inventor who electrified a prototype carriage around 1884. Parker, who was also responsible for electrifying the London Underground, aimed to create a vehicle that was cleaner and quieter than the steam-powered alternatives of the era.

The late 1800s and early 1900s were actually a golden age for electric vehicles (EVs). They were popular in cities because they were easy to start, quiet, and didn't emit smelly fumes—advantages that gasoline cars of the time couldn't match. In 1900, electric cars held a significant share of the market. The table below shows some key early milestones.

Year	Inventor/Company	Vehicle/Milestone	Significance
1832	Robert Anderson	Electric-powered carriage	First crude electric vehicle prototype
1835	Thomas Davenport	Small-scale electric locomotive	First practical application of an electric motor
1884	Thomas Parker	Electrified prototype carriage	First production-ready electric car
1890-91	William Morrison	Practical electric wagon	First successful EV in the U.S., sparked interest
1897	Pope Manufacturing Co.	Columbia Electric Phaeton	EVs used in first large-scale commercial fleet (NYC taxis)
1900	Ferdinand Porsche	Lohner-Porsche Mixte	Created the first-ever hybrid electric car

Despite this early promise, electric cars eventually lost out. The mass production of the gasoline-powered Ford Model T, starting in 1908, made internal combustion engine cars dramatically cheaper. The discovery of large crude oil reserves made gasoline inexpensive and readily available, while improvements to roads reduced the need for short-range city vehicles. For most of the 20th century, the electric car was largely forgotten, making its current resurgence a fascinating return to its early roots.

[StCooper]

Most people think EVs are a new thing, but they’re older than gasoline cars. The first one rolled out in 1832. It was basically a carriage with a battery and motor. A guy in Britain, Thomas Parker, even built a more practical one around 1884. Back then, electric taxis were actually cruising around New York City. They were the quiet, clean alternative before cheap gas and the Model T took over for the next hundred years.

[VonChristopher]

From a historical perspective, pinning down the "first" is tricky. There were several key prototypes. Robert Anderson's 1832 vehicle was the pioneer, but it was non-rechargeable. The critical evolution happened in the 1880s with the advent of rechargeable batteries. This allowed inventors like Thomas Parker (1884) and William Morrison (1890) to create practical, usable electric cars. So, while the concept was proven in the 1830s, the technology became viable for real-world use in the late 19th century.