5 Fun Facts About Electric Cars

More and more Pasadena-area drivers are considering an electric vehicle for the first time—but EVs have a long and interesting history that just about any would-be enthusiast can appreciate! Whether you already own an electric vehicle or you’re still trying to decide if an EV is right for you, these five fun facts about electric cars are sure to leave a lasting impression.

1. The First Electric Car Was Built in 1832

Although the first practical electric vehicles would not be built until the 1880s, the first electric carriage was actually built by the Scottish inventor Robert Anderson all the way back in 1832. It didn’t have rechargeable batteries, so owners would have had to discard and replace its power bank with every use.

2. Electric Vehicles Were Once Incredibly Popular

In 1900, electric vehicles made up roughly one third of all automobile sales in the United States! The electric vehicles of yesteryear were just like today’s models in some ways, and since they produced no tailpipe emissions and operated without noise, they were especially popular with people in cities. It was only with the introduction of the mass produced Model T that electric vehicles would start to lose market share. The discovery of crude oil in Texas would accelerate their decline, until EVs became all but nonexistent by 1935.

3. The World’s First Gas-Electric Hybrid Was a Porsche

Technically, the world-famous sports car brand would not be founded until 1931—a full 31 years after the first hybrid electric car was built by the manufacturer’s founder. But with more and more electric and hybrid Porsche vehicles entering the market today, it’s fun to look back on Ferdinand Porsche’s century-old dream.

4. EVs Start to Make a Comeback in Outer Space

Gas prices rise over the next few decades, and by the early 70s, many companies are already beginning to look to the future of automotive manufacturing. Electric powertrains moved to the forefront of peoples’ minds in 1971, when NASA’s electric-powered lunar rover started its work on the surface of the moon.

5. EV Batteries Are Getting More Affordable

Can savings really be described as “fun”? Maybe not always—but when one of today’s most important technologies becomes eleven times cheaper over the course of a single decade, we take notice! That’s why we couldn’t end our list of facts about electric cars without mentioning that EV batteries could cost as much as $1,100 per kilowatt-hour back in 2010. These same components can now be purchased for a price of roughly $128 per kilowatt-hour—and don’t be surprised if the price keeps dropping. Experts expect the price to be close to $100 per kilowatt-hour by 2024, and as low as $80 or even $60 per kilowatt-hour not long after that.

Learn More About Electric Vehicles With Rusnak Auto Group!

These fun facts about electric cars could pique the interest of even the most hardened gearheads—but if you’re really looking for excitement, you should visit your local Rusnak dealership and take your favorite new electric vehicle for a test drive! Our family of dealerships is easy to reach from anywhere near Thousand Oaks or Westlake Village, and we’re sure that you won’t be disappointed.

While you’re here, we can help you compare hybrid vs. electric powertrains or learn more about charging an EV at home.