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First Electric Vehicle
Robert Anderson builds the first crude electric carriage with non-rechargeable batteries. Around 1834, Thomas Anderson is also credited with the same invention. However, these vehicles were unprofitable because they used unrechargable batteries. http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/223/electric-car-timeline.html
http://www.edisontechcenter.org/ElectricCars.html#timeline -
First Rechargeable Battery
Gaston Plante invents a lead-acid battery whose chemical reaction can be reversed, thus making it rechargeable. However, the battery was ineffectual for long-term heavy-use, and thus, was used mainly for storage. http://www.electricauto.org/?page=evhistory
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/223/electric-car-timeline.html
http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/museum/plantebattery.html -
First Electric Railway
The first electric railway, built by Magnus Volk, runs in Brighton. It used gas to power a DC generator. http://volkselectricrailway.co.uk/history/the-volks-electric-railway/1883-1900 -
First Practical DC Motor
Frank Sprague invents the first versatile, practical DC motor. It can handle different loads, maintain consistent speeds, and was reasonably safe. This motor is then used in trolley systems in the US. http://www.edisontechcenter.org/ElectricCars.html#timeline http://www.edisontechcenter.org/ElectricCars.html#timeline -
Ford Model T
Henry Ford invents the Model T automobile and introduces mass production and the idea of catering to the masses. This changes the auto industry forever. http://corporate.ford.com/our-company/heritage/heritage-news-detail/672-model-t -
Electric Automobile Starter
Charles Kettering invented the first all-electric ignition system for cars, paving the way for an era of gas-powered cars. This also led to the demise of the then thriving electric car industry. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_F._Kettering
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/223/electric-car-timeline.html -
First Hybrid Electric Car
Against the backdrop of the switch to gas-powered vehicles and the near-extinction of the electric car, the first hybrid electric car is built. However, gas vehicles still dominate the auto market for several decades to come. -
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Electric Car Back on the Map!
The electric car gets back on the automobile map. Rising costs of foreign oil and doubts about the sustainability and "green"-ness of oil spark renewed interest in electric transportation. http://www.edisontechcenter.org/ElectricCars.html#timeline -
Victor Wouk's Hybrid Car
The Godfather of the Hybrid, Victor Wouk, invents the first full-sise, usable hybrid car out of a Buick for the 1970 Federal Clean Car Incentive Program. http://www.edisontechcenter.org/ElectricCars.html#timeline -
First Modern Electric Car
A team led by Dr. Andrew Burke develops what will be the predecessor to today's hybrid cars at a GE research lab. It is completely computer-controlled. Unable to sell the car to auto manufacturers, they sell the technology to Toyota. http://www.edisontechcenter.org/SchenInventions.html -
Toyota Prius goes on sale!
Toyota unveils the gas-electric Prius at the Tokyo Auto Show in 1995 and begins testing a year later. The first Prius goes on sale in the Japanese market on December 10, 1997 and 18,000 units are sold in the first year. http://www.edisontechcenter.org/ElectricCars.html#timeline
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius -
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Proliferation of Electric Cars
The Tesla Roadster, Ford Fusion, Nissan Leaf, Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-Cell, and Chevy Volt are all released. The Fusion is gas-electric while the other cars are fully electric. These releases elucidate a marked upward trend in the market for electric vehicles. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fusion_(Americas)
http://www.edisontechcenter.org/ElectricCars.html#timeline
www.teslamotors.com/roadster
www.nissanusa.com/electric-cars/leaf/
www.pluginamerica.org
