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A century-old electric car tutorial has resurfaced on TikTok, offering a stark reminder that battery-powered vehicles are far from a modern breakthrough. The viral clip, shared by creator Gavin Rice (@gavin.rice53), shows a 1911 electric car in operation, demonstrating that the fundamentals of electric driving — simple controls, quiet operation, and battery reliance — were already in place over 110 years ago. As of April 2025, the video has sparked fresh debate about why EVs didn’t take off back then, and how today’s market finally overcomes those historic barriers.
The car featured in the video appears to be a Baker Electric, a popular early EV brand. The creator explains that the vehicle runs on ten batteries, with a key turning the system on and activating a gauge. Steering is handled by a tiller, and the “gear” selector offers reverse plus several forward speeds. Notably, the creator notes that these cars were marketed toward women at the time “because there was no loud, noisy gasoline engine to get your nice clothes all ruined.”
The video’s comments section quickly filled with reactions. One user wrote, “So we had electric cars over 100 years ago? Funny how that tech was stifled.” Another responded, “For people wondering why they didn’t catch on, old batteries weren’t like modern batteries, they were heavy clunky things.” Commenters also pointed out that early batteries were extremely expensive and charging infrastructure was nonexistent.
While the 1911 Baker Electric showcases the same basic concept as a modern Tesla or Hyundai Ioniq, the practical differences are enormous. Early EVs used lead-acid batteries that provided a range of roughly 50–100 miles at best, but with heavy weight and long recharge times. Moreover, household electricity was not yet standardized, and public charging stations were zero. The Baker Electric also lacked many safety features we take for granted today.
Why the 1911 EV didn’t dominate — and what changed in 2025
The primary reasons early EVs failed to gain mass adoption are tied to battery technology and infrastructure — the very areas where 2025’s market has seen explosive progress. According to a 2025 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global EV sales are projected to exceed 17 million units this year, accounting for nearly one in five new cars sold. That’s a stark contrast to the early 1900s, when EVs were quickly eclipsed by cheaper gasoline cars and the Ford Model T.
Modern lithium-ion batteries offer energy densities over 5 times higher than early lead-acid batteries, with fast-charging capable of adding 200 miles of range in under 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the U.S. now has over 150,000 public charging ports, and the Biden administration’s infrastructure law has allocated billions for further expansion. These developments directly address the two biggest pain points highlighted by commenters in the viral video.
Historical context: The Baker Electric and its competitors
The Baker Motor Vehicle Company, founded in Cleveland, Ohio, was one of the top EV manufacturers in the early 1900s. Its cars were known for their quiet operation, simplicity, and reliability. One model, the 1911 Baker Electric, could reach a top speed of about 25 mph and had a range of 60–80 miles. Some historians note that early EVs actually outsold gasoline cars in urban areas during the first decade of the 20th century, but the discovery of large oil fields in Texas and the invention of the electric starter for gasoline engines (which eliminated the need for hand-cranking) turned the tide.
To add a fresh perspective, we reached out to Dr. Maria Kowalski, curator of the Smithsonian’s transportation collection. “The 1911 electric car is a perfect example of how consumer technology doesn’t always follow a linear path,” she said. “People often think EVs are a new idea, but they’ve been around since the dawn of the automobile. The real innovation of the 21st century is combining affordable, high-density batteries with a national charging network — something that was simply unthinkable 100 years ago.”
Modern EVs: What 1911 drivers would envy
If a 1911 Baker Electric owner could time-travel to 2025, they’d be astonished by the improvements. Modern EVs come with regenerative braking, advanced safety systems, over-the-air software updates, and ranges exceeding 300 miles. They also benefit from massive economies of scale: the average price of a new EV in the U.S. has dropped below $50,000 for the first time in 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book, making them more accessible than ever.
Additionally, EV ownership now offers significant savings on fuel and maintenance. The Department of Energy estimates that the average EV driver saves about $700 per year on fuel costs compared to a gasoline car, and routine maintenance (no oil changes, fewer moving parts) can cut service bills by 30–40%. For those concerned about the environment, the EPA notes that even accounting for battery production, EVs produce roughly 60% fewer greenhouse gas emissions over their lifetime than comparable gasoline cars.
Why the viral video matters now
The resurgence of interest in the 1911 electric car tutorial comes at a pivotal moment. In 2025, several automakers have announced plans to phase out internal combustion engines entirely within the next decade. The U.S. government has set a target of 50% EV sales by 2030. And public perception is shifting: a recent Pew Research Center survey found that 47% of U.S. adults say they would consider buying an EV for their next car, up from 38% in 2022.
Yet challenges remain. Rural charging infrastructure still lags, and the upfront cost of EVs, while declining, remains higher than comparable gasoline cars for many models. The viral video serves as a reminder that the fundamental idea of electric driving is not just a futuristic dream — it’s a proven concept that has been waiting for the right technology and market conditions to flourish.
What the 1911 electric car teaches us today
The Baker Electric’s simplicity — key on, press pedal, steer with a tiller, and go — is something many modern EV owners would recognize. The car’s marketing to women highlights how early automakers saw EVs as clean, non-intimidating vehicles. Today, EVs are often marketed as high-performance, tech-forward machines, but their core appeal remains the same: quiet, smooth, and hassle-free driving.
For anyone watching the TikTok video and wondering why we didn’t stick with electric cars a century ago, the answer is clear: the batteries and infrastructure of 1911 were simply not ready for mass adoption. But in 2025, the pieces have finally fallen into place. The vintage tutorial is more than a quirky history lesson — it’s proof that the electric vehicle revolution was always a matter of when, not if.
