Although electric vehicles (EVs) might seem futuristic, the idea of an EV was first conceived in 1828, when Hungarian engineer Ányos Jedlik invented a small-scale model car powered by an electric motor. In 1891, William Morrison of Des Moines, IA, developed a 6-passenger electric-powered wagon, the first practical EV. From the late 19th century until the 1920s, EVs were the vehicle of choice for most Americans.

EVs outsold all other cars in 1899 and 1900, including gasoline and steam-powered vehicles. The Phaeton, built by the Woods Motor Vehicle Company of Chicago in 1902, cost $2,000 and had a range of 18 miles on one charge. The first commercial EV application was established in 1897, when the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company of Philadelphia built a fleet of taxis for New York City.

But America’s fascination with EVs proved short-lived. The development of better highway infrastructures, cheap oil prices and mass production of internal-combustion- engine vehicles all contributed to the decline of electric vehicles.

In 1990, California passed a zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate that required auto manufacturers to offer commercial EVs in order to continue selling gasoline- powered vehicles in the state. In response, major auto manufacturers began producing electric-powered cars (including GM’s ill-fated EV1), but the movement was brief. Under pressure from oil company and auto manufacturer lawsuits, California reversed its ZEV mandate in 2003, and the market for commercial EVs in the U.S. all but vanished.

Today, several major automakers have EVs either on the market or in the works. Among them are the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Ford Focus EV and Tesla Model S.

At the east end of the Waldo Community Branch Library parking lot in Kansas City, a dozen men gather to look under the hoods of vehicles sporting bumper stickers that read: “Electrified” and “I get a charge out of driving my electric vehicle.” They are regulars, meeting once a month to talk with fellow members of the Mid-America Electric Auto Association (MAEAA).

MAEAA is the Kansas City metro chapter of the Electric Auto Association (EAA), which began in San Jose, CA in 1967. It is the original chapter for the Midwest, and currently has 40 members. Meetings for the group are held at the library the second Sunday of every month.

There are numerous groups, like this one, that splurge on the growing interest of the technology of our forefathers. Of course it is “newly improved”, but doesn’t it feel good to get back to the basics and get excited with others that share the same realty.  I met a Tesla owner in Santa Cruz, Calif. recently. He ran up and grabbed my hand enthusiastically, shaking it vigorously, asking me about the recent Tesla rally of the local Tesla owners. I happened to be wearing my Tesla jacket that I purchased at the dealership. (I can’t tell you how many compliments I get while wearing that thing). The point is, groups of enthusiasts are all over the place, spreading the word like a religion. And, attracting “believers” like crazy.  Are you yet?

Larry Judkin

Larry Judkin + is My Perfect Automobile’s General Manager, but people call him Lar’. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Co-owner of My Perfect Automobile. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…