The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has increased in recent years as more people have become increasingly concerned about alternative energy solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protect the environment. Many EV brands like Tesla have emerged into the market, with other car brands incorporating substantial advances in the technology behind electric cars in their models.

However, the idea of EVs isn’t entirely new. In fact, its history goes back to the early 19th century. 

Who Originated & Built the First Electric Car? 

While much is not known about the origin of the first electric car, there are a few reasons for that. The first is that proper records were not kept in the 1800s, which makes it hard to determine who did what. However, there were several auto inventors whose breakthroughs contributed to the development of the first EVs, according to Car and Driver, including rechargeable batteries and the first hybrid electric vehicles.

Reports show that early in the 19th century, inventors like Robert Anderson, Thomas Davenport, and Thomas Parker were experimenting with electric vehicle technology. Still, there were so many experiments and accomplishments that it would be hard to say who or precisely when the very first electric car was created. However, it can be said that the first EV was a collaborative effort involving several talented inventors and researchers over several decades.

Car Inventor Robert Anderson and His Modified Electric Carriage

While the origins of the first EV are still debatable, several sources credit Scottish inventor Robert Anderson as the inventor of the first electric vehicle. Between 1832 and 1839, in his native Scotland, Anderson exhibited a crude electric carriage he designed using non-rechargeable cells. According to EVBox, Anderson described his creation as a “non-rechargeable electric carriage,” which was impressive but impractical for widespread use. It could travel up to 3 miles at a speed of 4 mph.

The exact timeline of Anderson’s creation is not entirely clear. However, it can’t be disputed that he is one of the key innovators who played a vital role in the early development of electric vehicles. It’s because of this that many sources credit him as the inventor of the first EV, which isn’t entirely correct since the contributions of many others also made it possible.

Car Inventor Robert Davidson and His Prototype Electric Locomotive

Another inventor who is often credited for creating early EVs is Robert Davidson. In 1837, this Scottish inventor built a prototype electric locomotive in Scotland. It used a small electric motor with a battery. This functionality was demonstrated at a public railway in Edinburgh.

Davidson’s creation, the “Galvani,” was the first of its kind to be powered by galvanic cells, which were early versions of batteries. 

The Galvani could carry up to six passengers and had a top speed of 4 mph. Refining his design, his continued development of electric locomotives led to him building the first known electric railway in 1838 in Scotland. Additionally, Davidson later built a larger electric vehicle in 1841 that could travel up to 14 miles per hour.

Davidson’s electric locomotive isn’t truly considered a true automobile, nor were his other creations like his electric carriage and boat. Still, his designs and his early work on batteries are essential to the timeline of electric vehicle development. Davidson’s work demonstrated that electric motors could adequately power vehicles. 

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In general, it was his efforts, along with those of Anderson and many others, that helped pave the way for further development in the field and innovative electric cars in the modern automotive market.

Conclusion

Due to the absence of records, it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly the first person that developed an electric vehicle. However, it can be said that the contributive efforts of many made the first-ever EV possible.