Back to the Future? Electric Vehicles 200 Years Later

Believe it or not, the EV Age started with rudimentary electric carts in the 1820s...

It was a tinker's world. People cobbled together ways of  mechanizing movement using primary batteries (non-rechargeable) and whatever they could find for electric motors.

By the mid-19th century, patents had issued in the US and Europe for electrified rails as conductors of  current. Power delivered continuously to the motors, made trains, trams, street cars, and subways mainstays of urban transportation.

Electric motor development continued in the US and Europe, with contributions and advancements made by many.

In 1859, the rechargeable lead-acid battery was invented...

For the next 30 years, dozens (perhaps hundreds) of erstwhile inventors built an astounding number of electric vehicles. The first car that Ferdinand Porsche designed and built was all wheel drive, electric, and set a number of speed records in its day.  (Color me surprised...not).

At the dawn of the 20th century...

The United States led the way with more than 30 thousand registered electric vehicles, Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles were outnumbered 2:1 compared to EVs.

Outside of urban areas, most vehicles were steam powered.  You can get water everywhere, and coal was a staple fuel for homes and businesses.

The 1920s brought many changes...

Road infrastructure grew dramatically, the development of cheap global supplies of petroleum, and the inventions of electric starter motors, alternators, water and fuel pumps fueled both the desire and the ability of travelers to go farther and faster than ever before.

And, of course, Henry Ford.  By 1920, half of all cars in the US were Fords.  And Ford was the number two domestic vehicle manufacturer in the US, with additional operations in more than half a dozen countries around the world.

Internal combustion engines dominated transportation for the next 90 years (and still do, but...) 

Then came Tesla...

From the late 1960s in to the early 21st century, there were a number of sporadic ( and ill-fated) attempts by a number of companies, both established automakers as well as a number of emerging entrants, to "electrify" existing vehicles (mostly ugly, boxy down-line models) that the public found unappealing.

The real turn in popular opinion and excitement came with the introduction of the Tesla Roadster in 2008. With its sporty curb appeal and head-turning performance, the Roadster was an all electric vehicle that people clamored for.

The entire conversation shifted: electric could be sexy, plus it's really good for the environment.  Driving electric became a symbol of status not derision.  Within the last few weeks, Tesla has reached the 6-million mark in cars sold.

Tesla really started the party, but a lot of others have jumped in, too.

Despite Meghan Traynor, now it's all about the batteries (not the bass)...

EVs now account for about 7% of new vehicle sales (up from 0% as recently as 2007, BTW) and barely 1% of all vehicles on the road (in the US).

Lithium-ion batteries now power almost every rechargeable device.  And, while they have proven to be reliable power sources, they are not without controversy.  A tendency to catch fire is a concern.  Another concern is the sustainability of the materials, specifically the lithium, nickel,  magnesium and cobalt-a conflict mineral.

But it is not just about passenger vehicles.  Commercial vehicles, buses, construction vehicles, industrial (forklifts, cranes,) if it moves, eventually it's going to be electric powered...even aircraft.

And, that's a LOT of batteries.

There are a number of battery technologies in development.  This article from BuiltIn.com offers an accessible overview of  some of the work being done. 

Photo etching has been used for making battery components for decades, going back to nickel metal hydride (NiMH) power cells used in satellites. Photo etching produces anode and cathode grids as well as positive and negative current collectors.