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Have you ever imagined what the world would be like if, 100 years ago, electric cars had dominated the automotive market? Well, this reality was very close to happening! At the beginning of the 20th century, electric cars were more popular than gasoline models.
However, a simple electric motor, the kind used to open and close cash register drawers, was responsible for changing this story forever. But how could such a banal device have impacted an entire industry? Read on to find out how this story unfolded and how it shaped the future of automobiles.
The rise of electric cars in the early 20th century
In the year 1900, electric vehicles represented around 38% of American fleet, which shows the popularity of these machines that did not emit harmful gases and were easy to handle.
Women, especially, preferred electric cars, as they did not leave the gasoline odor permeating the clothes. Furthermore, electric cars did not require physical strength to start, unlike gasoline models, which needed a crank to start the engine.
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At that time, steam and hybrid vehicles also had a share of the market, But most people who chose gasoline-powered cars did so for one simple reason: it was cheaper.
Although gasoline was more affordable, starting a combustion car before 1912 was no easy task. It was necessary to have strong arms and, most importantly, technique.
The crank used to start the engine often caused serious and even fatal accidents, as it could turn in the opposite direction with enough force to cause fractures.
The invention that changed everything: the electric starter
The beginning of the end for electric cars began with a concern by Henry Leland, founder of Cadillac and Lincoln. Outraged by the accidents caused by the crank, Leland challenged his engineers to create a safer and more efficient method of starting combustion cars.
And that's when a small engine, originally used in cash registers, came onto the scene. Charles Kettering, a talented engineer, was the one who discovered the potential of the little motor used in NCR (National Cash Register) cash registers.
Kettering, who would later found Delco (Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company), had the idea of adapting this engine to start combustion engines. In 1912, the Cadillac Model 30 was launched with the first electric starter in history, without the need for a crank.
The decline of electric cars and the rise of internal combustion
The success of Cadillac Self Starter it was immediate. Sales doubled, and electric starting quickly became the standard in the automotive industry. In contrast, electric cars, which reached their peak in 1912 with around 40 thousand units, began to lose popularity.
The arrival of the Ford T with electric start in 1919 sealed the fate of electric cars. The non-crank Model T sold for less than $300 (about $4.700 today), while electric cars were almost ten times more expensive.
Another crucial factor in the decline of trams was the expansion of road infrastructure. As more paved roads connected cities, the ability of gasoline cars to travel long distances more quickly and easily became a major attraction.
Gasoline was also cheaper and quicker to refill, compared to the time it takes to recharge heavy lead batteries in electric vehicles.
The timid return of trams and the promising future
After decades of oblivion, electric cars began to make a timid comeback in the 1990s, mainly due to the strict environmental laws in California. General Motors' EV1 was one of the first to appear, but it faced difficulties in the market and was withdrawn from circulation.
Today, with more efficient, lighter batteries and advanced technologies, Electric cars are finally finding their place in the global market. A China, in particular, is leading this movement, investing heavily in electric vehicles as part of its environmental and economic strategy.
The legacy of the crank It still survived until 1998, interestingly, in the Lada Niva, where a wheel wrench could be used to start the engine in emergencies. But, apparently, electric cars are back to stay, this time, maybe forever. This is because automakers like BYD, Toyota, Volkswagen and many others, see this vehicle as the future of their brands.
Will electric cars finally dominate the market or will price impede their expansion again? Comment below what you think about the future of electric vehicles! Until next time!
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