Electric Vehicles Have Been Around Since the 19th Century: Timeline | HISTORY
Electric Vehicles Have Been Around Since the 19th Century: Timeline | HISTORY History
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The First Automobile Show in America
The very first automobile show in America opened its doors to the public at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 3, 1900. Sponsored by the fledgling Automobile Club of America, the event was a showcase of three competing turn-of-the-century automobile technologies: the internal combustion engine, steam power and electricity.
Electric Vehicles at the First Car Show
Of the 160 automobiles on display at that first car show in 1900, a full third of them were electric. (Compare that to 2023, when electric cars and trucks only captured 7.6 percent of total vehicle sales in America.) That’s because electric vehicles were some of the earliest automobiles ever invented, and they held distinct advantages over their gas- and steam-powered competitors.
1832: Robert Anderson Invents the First ‘Electric Carriage’
Not much is known about Scottish inventor Robert Anderson other than the well-documented fact that he was the first person to build a “horseless carriage” powered by an electric motor.
1859: Gaston Planté Makes the First Rechargeable Battery
The development of electric vehicles in the 19th century closely tracks the evolution of battery technology. Anderson’s electric carriage wasn’t practical, because its battery was only good for one charge and then needed to be replaced. That changed in 1859, when French chemist Gaston Planté came up with a lead-acid battery that could be recharged indefinitely.
1881: Camille Faure Invents a Lighter, Longer-Lasting Battery
Planté’s rechargeable battery was a game-changing technology, but his original lead-acid batteries were too large and heavy for early automobiles. The real breakthrough for electric vehicles was a much lighter and smaller version of a lead-acid battery invented by Camille Faure, another French chemist.
1883: First Automobile Electric?
The invention of the first automobile is usually credited to Carl Benz, who filed a patent for his three-wheeled, gasoline-powered motor car in 1886. But Wilson argues that an electric vehicle built and sold by a French carriage maker may have beat Benz by three years.
1893: First Electric Car Displayed in America
The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair came on the heels of the 1889 World Exhibition in Paris, where crowds swarmed displays of some of the world’s first motorized vehicles. But it was at the 1893 Chicago event, known as the World’s Columbian Exhibition, that Americans got their first look at the future of transportation. And one of them was electric.
1894: The First Electric Car with Regenerative Braking
Louis Antoine Krièger was a contemporary of Charles Jeantaud in France. Like Jeantaud, he was trying to find a market for horseless, motorized carriages in Paris, particularly taxicabs.
1897: Electric Taxicabs Come to NYC
Electric and hybrid taxis are a common sight in major cities today, but there were fully electric taxicabs carting around wealthy New Yorkers more than 100 years ago.
1899: An Electric Car Is First to Break 60 mph
In 1899, Camille Jenatzy drove a rocket-shaped electric car called La Jamais Contente (“Never Satisfied”) to a maximum speed of 65.8 mph.
1914: Henry Ford Buys His Wife an Electric Car
Henry Ford, perhaps more than anyone else, assured the dominance of gas-powered cars in the 20th century. Ford’s Model T, which debuted in 1908, brought affordable and reliable car ownership within reach of the average American.
1920: Internal Combustion Engines Take Over
The beginning of the end for electric vehicles was 1903, when Clyde J. Coleman secured a patent for an electric automobile starter. A decade later, Charles Kettering at General Motors improved on Coleman’s design and installed the first electric starter in a 1912 Cadillac.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
- Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
- Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added in manufacturing industries
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
- Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated
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SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
Analysis
The article discusses the development and history of electric vehicles, highlighting various milestones and inventions. Based on the content, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:
1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
The article addresses the transition from steam power and gasoline engines to electric vehicles, which aligns with SDG 7’s focus on clean energy. The increasing adoption of electric vehicles contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The article mentions the development of battery technology and its impact on electric vehicles. This relates to SDG 9’s target of upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable. The advancements in battery technology have enabled the growth of electric vehicles as a viable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article discusses the use of electric taxis in major cities in the late 19th century, highlighting their potential for reducing environmental impact. This aligns with SDG 11’s target of reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. Electric taxis contribute to cleaner air quality and reduced noise pollution in urban areas.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
The article emphasizes the advantages of electric vehicles in terms of reduced emissions and environmental impact. This aligns with SDG 13’s focus on climate action. The adoption of electric vehicles plays a role in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable | Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added in manufacturing industries |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities | Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: history.com
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