The first electric car wasn't the invention of a single person but the result of incremental developments by multiple inventors across Europe and the United States in the 1800s. However, American inventor Thomas Davenport is often credited with building the first practical electric vehicle, a small locomotive, in 1834. The first electric car capable of carrying people was likely built by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson sometime between 1832 and 1839, though it was powered by non-rechargeable primary cells. A major milestone was the creation of a more advanced, rechargeable electric carriage by French physicist Gaston Planté in 1861, who also invented the lead-acid battery. The first electric car in the U.S. is attributed to William Morrison of Des Moines, Iowa, who built a six-passenger wagon around 1890 that could reach a top speed of 14 miles per hour.
The late 19th century was the golden age for early electric vehicles, with several key figures contributing to their rise. Here is a brief timeline of pivotal early contributors:
| Inventor/Innovator | Nationality | Year | Contribution |
|---|
| Robert Anderson | Scottish | 1832-1839 | Built a crude electric-powered carriage using non-rechargeable cells. |
| Thomas Davenport | American | 1834 | Built the first practical DC electric motor and used it to power a small model locomotive on a track. |
| Gaston Planté | French | 1861 | Invented the rechargeable lead-acid battery, a critical technology for practical EVs. |
| Thomas Parker | English | 1884 | Built a production electric car in London using his own specially designed high-capacity rechargeable batteries. |
| William Morrison | American | ~1890 | Built the first successful electric automobile in the U.S., sparking national interest. |
| EV Market Share (1900) | USA | 1900 | Electric cars accounted for about 38% of the US automobile market, with steam and gasoline making up the rest. |
This era proved that electric propulsion was a viable and popular alternative. EVs were quiet, clean, and easy to start compared to their noisy, hand-cranked gasoline rivals. However, the advent of the mass-produced, affordable Model T and the expansion of petroleum infrastructure soon led to the decline of early electric cars, setting the stage for a century of gasoline dominance before the modern revival.
