Imagine a world where the electric vehicle (EV) was not the exception but the norm. What if the pioneers of the automobile industry, like Henry Ford, had invested their time and resources into developing electric engines instead of the internal combustion engine? Could such a world have been a reality, and more importantly, could we have averted many of the environmental challenges we face today?
The Dawn of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles were popular at the dawn of the 20th century. They offered many advantages over their steam and gasoline-powered counterparts: they were quieter, easier to operate, and didn’t emit pungent exhaust fumes. The Baker Electric and Detroit Electric were favored by urban dwellers for short trips, even attracting prominent figures such as Thomas Edison, who worked on developing a more durable battery for EVs.
The Downfall and What Could Have Been Different
However, despite their early popularity, electric vehicles were gradually outpaced by gasoline cars. The discovery of vast petroleum reserves led to an abundance of cheap gasoline, making gasoline cars more economical to run. In contrast, electric cars were expensive, had limited range, and took a long time to recharge.
But what if history had taken a different turn? What if the automotive industry pioneers had focused more on the potential of EVs?
With more research and investment into improving battery technology, we might have seen advancements akin to those made in the last two decades but happening much earlier. Given that one of the main hindrances to EV adoption was the limited range and lengthy charging times, advancements in this area could have made electric cars more competitive.
Additionally, if early automakers had prioritized electric vehicles, they might have developed infrastructure solutions to support widespread EV use. Investment in charging station infrastructure, perhaps spurred by public-private partnerships, could have made owning an EV as convenient as a gasoline-powered car.
The Impact on Today’s Environmental Crisis
If EVs had been the dominant form of transport for the last century, our world could look much different. With transport being one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, a predominance of zero-emission EVs could have significantly reduced our collective carbon footprint. Our air could be cleaner, with fewer pollutants from exhaust fumes, leading to improved public health outcomes.
We might also have seen a reduced dependence on oil, with far-reaching political and economic implications. This could have encouraged a more sustainable approach to energy consumption, with an increased focus on renewable sources to provide electricity for our vehicles.