The first electric cars appeared in the 1890s, decades before gasoline engines dominated the road
Electric vehicles are not new. The first practical electric car was built in the 1890s — some sources point to Thomas Davenport's 1834 carriage as an early experiment, but the 1890s saw the first vehicles people could actually buy and drive. By 1900, electric cars outsold gasoline cars in the United States. They were quieter, easier to start, and did not require hand-cranking like early gas engines. Women in particular favored them because they were safer and more convenient than the temperamental gasoline alternatives.
This electric era lasted roughly from 1890 to 1920. Manufacturers like Columbia, Baker, and Detroit Electric produced thousands of vehicles. The Baker Electric, for example, could travel 40 to 50 miles on a single charge — enough for most urban trips of that time. Prices ranged from $1,200 to $2,000, which was expensive but not out of reach for middle-class buyers.
Key Takeaways
- Electric cars were the dominant vehicle type in the 1890s and early 1900s, outselling gasoline cars until around 1920.
- Henry Ford's mass production of the Model T (introduced in 1908) made gasoline cars cheap and abundant, while electric cars remained expensive and limited in range.
- Electric vehicles nearly disappeared from the market between 1920 and the 1970s as gasoline infrastructure and engine technology improved.
- The modern electric car era began in the 1990s with vehicles like the General Motors EV1 (1996) and accelerated with the Tesla Roadster (2008).
- Today's electric cars offer ranges of 200 to 400 miles per charge, with charging networks expanding across North America and Europe.
Why gasoline cars replaced electric vehicles between 1920 and 1970
The decline of electric cars was not inevitable — it was driven by three concrete factors. First, Henry Ford's assembly line made the Model T (introduced in 1908) cheap and mass-produced. A Model T cost around $825 by 1920, while a comparable electric car cost $2,000 or more. Second, the discovery of oil fields in Texas and Oklahoma made gasoline abundant and inexpensive. Third, gasoline engines became more reliable and easier to start after the electric starter motor was invented in 1912.
By 1920, gasoline cars had longer range, faster refueling, and lower purchase price. Electric cars could not compete. Charging infrastructure did not exist outside cities, and batteries had not improved significantly. The last major American electric car manufacturer, Detroit Electric, stopped production in 1939. For the next 30 years, electric vehicles were essentially absent from consumer markets.
The 1970s oil crisis sparked the first modern electric car experiments
The 1973 Arab oil embargo created fuel shortages and long lines at gas stations across the United States. Gasoline prices tripled, and suddenly electric cars seemed practical again. Automakers and governments began funding research into battery-powered vehicles. Volkswagen, Citroen, and others built experimental electric prototypes. The U.S. government passed the Electric Vehicle Development Act in 1976, which funded research and demonstration projects.
However, these 1970s and 1980s vehicles had serious limitations. Batteries were heavy, expensive, and offered only 50 to 100 miles of range. Charging took 8 to 12 hours. Acceleration was slow. When oil prices stabilized in the mid-1980s, interest faded. Automakers shelved their electric programs, and the market returned to gasoline dominance.
The 1990s brought the first mass-produced modern electric cars
California's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, passed in 1990, required automakers to sell a percentage of zero-emission vehicles starting in 1998. This regulation forced manufacturers to take electric cars seriously. General Motors responded with the EV1, launched in 1996 in California and Arizona. The EV1 was a purpose-built electric car with a range of 80 to 120 miles and a 3-hour fast-charge option. Drivers could lease but not buy the vehicle.
Toyota and Honda also entered the market. Toyota introduced the RAV4 EV in 1997, and Honda launched the EV Plus in 1997. These vehicles proved that modern electric cars could be reliable and practical for daily driving. However, they remained expensive, had limited range, and charging infrastructure was nearly nonexistent outside California. When California's ZEV mandate was weakened in 2003, automakers discontinued their electric programs. GM famously recalled and destroyed most EV1s, a decision that became controversial decades later.
Tesla's Roadster in 2008 changed the trajectory of electric vehicles
Tesla, founded in 2003, launched the Roadster in 2008 — a high-performance electric sports car with a 200-mile range and 0-60 acceleration of 3.9 seconds. It proved that electric cars could be desirable, not just practical. The Roadster cost around $100,000 and was aimed at wealthy early adopters, but it demonstrated that lithium-ion battery technology had matured enough to power a real car with real performance.
Tesla followed the Roadster with the Model S sedan in 2012, priced at $50,000 to $100,000 with a range of 200 to 300 miles. The Model S became the first electric car to win major automotive awards and outsell comparable luxury sedans. This success convinced other automakers that the electric car market was real and growing. Nissan launched the Leaf in 2010, Chevrolet introduced the Volt in 2011, and BMW began the i3 program.
The 2010s saw rapid expansion and falling battery costs
Between 2010 and 2020, electric car sales grew from fewer than 10,000 per year globally to over 3 million. Battery costs fell from around $1,100 per kilowatt-hour in 2010 to roughly $130 per kilowatt-hour by 2020, making electric cars more affordable. Range improved steadily — by 2020, mainstream electric cars offered 200 to 300 miles per charge, and premium models exceeded 400 miles.
Charging infrastructure expanded rapidly. Tesla built its Supercharger network across North America and Europe. Public charging networks like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint grew to thousands of locations. Governments in Europe, China, and California began phasing out gasoline car sales — the European Union announced a ban on new gasoline car sales by 2035, and California set 2035 as well. China became the world's largest electric car market, accounting for more than half of global sales by 2020.
Today's electric car market and what comes next
As of 2024, electric cars are no longer niche products. Tesla, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and General Motors all offer multiple electric models. Prices range from around $25,000 for basic models to $100,000 or more for premium vehicles. Range on a single charge typically spans 200 to 400 miles for new cars, with some models exceeding 500 miles. Fast-charging networks can add 200 miles in 20 to 30 minutes.
The shift is accelerating. Major automakers have announced plans to phase out gasoline car production — Volkswagen aims for 2035, General Motors for 2035, and Ford for 2030 in Europe. Battery technology continues to improve, with solid-state batteries and other innovations in development. Used electric cars are becoming more available, lowering the barrier to entry. The electric car era that began in the 1890s, was interrupted for 50 years, and restarted in the 1990s is now the dominant direction for the automotive industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were electric cars really popular in the 1900s?
Yes. In 1900, electric cars outsold gasoline cars in the United States. They were preferred by urban drivers and women because they were quiet, reliable, and did not require hand-cranking. By 1920, gasoline cars had become cheaper and more practical for longer distances, and electric cars faded from the market.
Why did automakers stop making electric cars in the 1980s?
Oil prices fell in the mid-1980s after spiking during the 1973 embargo, making gasoline cheap again. Battery technology had not improved enough to compete with gasoline cars on range and price. Automakers saw no profit motive and shelved their electric programs until California's ZEV mandate forced them to reconsider in the 1990s.
How far could the first Tesla Roadster drive on one charge?
The Tesla Roadster, launched in 2008, had a range of approximately 200 miles per charge. This was a major breakthrough because previous electric cars offered only 80 to 120 miles. The Roadster proved that modern batteries could power a car with real performance and practical range.
What is the range of electric cars today?
Most new electric cars offer 200 to 300 miles per charge. Premium models and larger vehicles often exceed 400 miles. Range depends on battery size, vehicle weight, driving conditions, and weather. Cold temperatures reduce range by 20 to 40 percent compared to ideal conditions.
When will gasoline cars be phased out?
The European Union, California, and several other regions have set 2035 as the year to stop selling new gasoline-powered cars. China has not set a hard important date but is aggressively promoting electric vehicles. Other countries and regions have different timelines or no formal ban. Gasoline cars will likely remain on the road for decades after production stops.