Many people’s understanding of electric cars started with modern high-end electric cars such as the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. Therefore, in the public’s widespread perception, many people think that electric cars are a high-tech technology that has only emerged in recent

Many people know electric cars from modern high-end electric cars such as Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. Therefore, in the broad public perception, many people think that electric cars are a kind of electric car that has only been developed in recent years. The rise of high-tech transportation. In fact, after the industrial revolution , as horse-drawn carriages were gradually phased out of history, electric vehicles have actually been competing with gasoline (and steam) vehicles, and initially electric vehicles had the upper hand in automobile development, appearing as early as more than a century ago electric cars, even electric cars that break the top speed on land.

Strictly speaking, in the early days of automobile development, the three power modes were not very mature and had some problems caused by their own characteristics. The main problems of steam-powered vehicles are poor continuity of operation, bloated structure, and too complicated operation. It is often difficult for one person to drive them; the main problem of electric vehicles is the battery. The lead-acid battery at that time was bulky and difficult to charge. It is slow and has poor power storage capacity, so the car cannot be driven for long and has to find a place to charge (especially since the power grid was not covered everywhere before); the problem of early gasoline cars was that the engine worked unstable (in the early days, two-stroke engines were used). Gasoline is scarce. So why did gasoline vehicles suddenly emerge and become the mainstream automobile development route? The reason is that the improvement of the gasoline engine has significantly improved its performance. The mature four-stroke cycle operation method has established its classic status that is still out of date today. Coupled with the rapid development of the oil and gas industry, gasoline has become a fuel that can be easily obtained and deployed. With the increasing demand for energy, more practical fuel vehicles will naturally become popular.

Fuel vehicles have almost become the only form of automobiles for more than a hundred years. In the absence of any competitive opponents, they have gradually upgraded and evolved according to their own development routes, and developed today's various complex and numerous types of vehicles. product. For more than a hundred years, electric vehicles have been stuck in the corner of history due to the lack of power battery technology. It was not until the advent of lithium battery technology that electric vehicles ushered in their true "Renaissance." Of course, for electric vehicles to transform from an old technology into a sunset industry, the "right time" for a breakthrough in battery technology is not enough. It also requires the right location and people, which is the rise of intelligent driving technology and China's efforts to develop the electric vehicle industry.

The former is easier to understand. Fuel vehicles are not as suitable for deploying intelligent control as electric vehicles. After all, intelligent driving is mainly an electrical technology. How to understand the latter? Why can China affect the development of electric vehicles? To interpret this problem, we need to first understand why China supports the electric vehicle industry. It is very simple. First, the technology of fuel vehicles has been mature for many years. It is extremely difficult for China to make a rapid breakthrough. It is better to open up another industrial track such as electric vehicles. Overtaking is not a dream; secondly, as a populous and industrial country like China, it faces considerable pressure to reduce carbon emissions. Electric vehicles that can use new energy power can help reduce carbon emissions; thirdly, in order to prevent the neck from getting stuck, after all, in theory, As long as China's coal is not exhausted and hydropower, wind power, solar power and nuclear power are not ended, our Chinese cars will not have to worry about carrying a big "gas bag". Once China, the world's largest industrial country, actively participates in the electric vehicle industry game, the industry threshold will be quickly lowered. In 2021, China's electric vehicle production will exceed one million units. If you think it has only been a few years, so The future is bright.

Finally, by the way, although electric vehicles have been almost marginalized in the past 100 years, it does not mean that no products have been launched during this period. Below, we will take you to understand the classics of electric vehicles in each period based on the development history of electric vehicles in the United States. product.

1. Baker Electric - 1899-1915

While other electric transportation, such as battery-powered tricycles and streetcars, had appeared as early as 1881, the Baker Electric was the first commercial electric vehicle, which went on sale in 1899. The car was built by the Baker Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio, which produced cars until 1915.In short order, the company's founders attempted multiple land speed records, and its chief engineer managed to set a record for electric range, culminating in an astonishing 201 miles on a single charge. (About 323 kilometers)

2. Studebaker Electric Car - 1902-1912

Studebaker may be very unfamiliar to Chinese car fans. This is a car manufacturer headquartered in Indiana . The first electric car was this in 1902. A small carriage. The Studebaker Electric was produced for 10 years and was offered in a variety of body styles, including a four-passenger model. Its battery system has a simple charging method. It is said that the great inventor Edison once purchased this car.

3.Detroit Electric - 1907-1939

Anderson Carriage Company Originally founded as a horse-drawn carriage manufacturer in 1884, it changed its business model in 1907 and introduced an electric car called the Detroit Electric. The electric car is advertised as having a range of 80 miles per charge, but it can actually travel much further; in one test, it traveled 211.3 miles on a single charge. The company officially changed its name to Detroit Electric in 1911, but like competitors Studebaker and Baker Electric, its line of electric cars failed. It eventually became a traditional factory that could only build internal combustion engine cars.

4. Henney Kilowatt - 1959-1960

After fading interest in electric cars, upstart automaker Henney Motor Company launched its four-door Kilowatt, largely based on the small Renault Dauphine. Available for the 1959 and 1960 model years, the Kilowatt was the first electric car to travel at high speeds, although it didn't last long. The 1960 model was capable of reaching 60 mph.

5.GM EV1 - 1997-1999

General Motors' EV1 is a well-known presence in the electric vehicle industry. EV1 is a product developed by GM in response to market changes and attempts at new technologies. This aerodynamic two-seat purpose-built vehicle is available to taxi drivers in California, Arizona and Georgia through a rental program. 1997 model year models - offered a range of 70-100 miles and were available in green, red or silver. A revised model was introduced in 1999, equipped with a new nickel-metal hydride battery pack that increased the range to 140 (225 kilometers) miles per charge.

6.Honda EV Plus - 1997-1999

Like the GM EV1, Honda offered its own dedicated electric vehicle, called the EV Plus, to customers on a lease basis from 1997 to 1999. The Honda was actually the first electric car to use the more modern nickel metal hydride battery. This type of battery offers higher energy density, which allows it to take up less space than a lead-acid battery pack while providing more energy. Great range per charge. Honda discontinued the EV Plus after just three years, with only around 300 cars built.

7. Tesla Roadster - 2008-2012

Tesla's first car was not the high-selling luxury Model S sedan. It is not the current sales champion MODEL3, but the 2008 sports car. Loosely based on the Lotus Elise, with parts sourced directly from the British specialist sports car manufacturer, the Roadster is the first car to showcase founder Elon Musk's vision for long-range electric vehicles. The Roadster wasn't a sales success (only 2,450 were sold worldwide), but it provided a proof-of-concept for the future of the Tesla brand.

8. Nissan Leaf - 2010 to present

Around the time Tesla was proving that electric cars could offer longer range, Nissan was working to prove that electric cars could be practical family cars. The first-generation Leaf had very unique styling, but its interior was roomy, comfortable and practical.Range per charge is limited to 73 miles (117 kilometers); the new model year gets a larger battery pack, giving it a range of 226 miles (363 kilometers). However, the original Leaf was significantly cheaper than the Tesla Roadster and offered enough practicality for everyday use. The Leaf was also the first electric car to be considered a real commercial success, with more than 470,000 units sold as of March 2020.

9. Tesla Model S - 2012 to present

When the Tesla Model S came on the market in 2012, it immediately became the benchmark for electric vehicles, and its success brought Elon Musk great popularity . It has a larger battery pack, longer battery life and smarter safety assistance systems, and has amazing acceleration capabilities. Model S brought Tesla into the luxury car market and quickly became the car of choice for Hollywood rich people. It makes electric vehicles the focus of many car fans.

10. Tesla Model 3 - 2017 to present

Model 3 is much cheaper than its big brother MODEL S, but it also has beautiful appearance and strong performance. It has now been produced in a factory in China, which has accelerated Tesla's penetration in the electric vehicle market has even become a benchmark product for many car companies.

Looking at the huge factories of electric vehicle companies, I believe that the scene of driverless electric vehicles running all over the road will be realized in the near future.