The Electric Car: History, Quotes and Online Resources
The Electric Car: Pioneering Sustainable Mobility for a Greener Future. Discover the history, benefits, and latest models of electric cars. Compare quotes from top insurance providers and find the best coverage for your electric vehicle. Enter your zip code now and embrace the eco-friendly revolution on the road.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Eric Stauffer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on “The Electric Car: History, Quotes, and Online Resources.”
In this article, we delve into the fascinating evolution of electric cars, from their humble beginnings in the 19th century to the cutting-edge models available today. We explore the key milestones, including the emergence of hybrid vehicles and the role of industry leaders like Tesla.
Discover the environmental advantages, cost savings, and maintenance benefits of electric cars compared to their gas-powered counterparts. To ensure you make an informed decision, we provide a wealth of online resources and insightful quotes from industry pioneers.
Ready to make the switch to electric? Enter your ZIP code now to compare rates from the best insurance providers and embark on your sustainable journey.
History of The Electric Car
Although the vehicle option has only risen in acceptance over the past decade, the electric car can trace its beginnings back to the 19th century.
The 1800s: In 1835, Thomas Davenport built a small locomotive which would become the first practical electric car. These advancements were hinged on the belief that electricity was the future of transport. Despite the interest, the first successful electric car in the United States would not be invented until 1891.
The early 1900s: The new century saw the continued popularity of electric vehicles with around twenty-eight percent of cars produced in the country being powered by electricity. However, this would halt in the 1920s when people began to prefer vehicles that would reliably allow for longer drives.
The mid-1900s: In the 1970s, the first hybrid car was built by Victor Wouk based on a 1972 Buick Skylark.
Read more: Buick Car Insurance Discount
The 1990s: The Toyota Prius, which was the first commercially-available and mass-produced hybrid car, was launched in Japan in 1997. Its success would lead to other car companies following suit and creating all-electric cars.
The 2000s: Tesla makes history with the unveiling of the Tesla Roadster in 2006 due to its improved driving distance and legal-to-drive status. In the following years, the government allocated more than two-billion dollars to fund the development of electric vehicles.
Read more: Tesla Car Insurance Discount
Compare The Best Insurance Quotes In The Country
Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Today’s Electric Cars
Electric cars have steadily gained popularity since Tesla first launched their models. Currently, it is estimated that there are around two dozen electric and hybrid vehicles available on the market. Manufacturers are looking to release seventy more models over the next five years.
Most of these cars fall under two categories: all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Models in the first category exclusively run on electricity, while those in the latter are designed to run a distance using electricity but switch to a gas or hybrid mode for longer distances. These cars are sold starting at about $21,000 with high-performance models selling for as much as $125,000.
The Future of Electric Cars
Manufacturers and research engineers are finding ways to improve and develop both electric cars and the road infrastructure that would accommodate them. For example, engineers at Colorado University are working to find ways to allow electric cars to charge while on the road without having to plug in. This would address the current driving distance limitation that most electric vehicle models still have.
Meanwhile, other research shows that it is dealers and distributors who will play a big role in encouraging electric car sales in the future.
Pros and Cons of an Electric Car vs. Gas Powered Car
To help weigh your options, consider the advantages of each type of car before making your decision.
Why should you choose electric over gas powered cars?
Cheaper to power: In the long run, powering an electric car will be cheaper than fueling a gas-powered car. Researchers suggest that it would only take a few cents to fully recharge an electric car in the future. This might be a better choice financially, as gas prices tend to be volatile.
Tax incentives: The government gives electric and hybrid car owners a federal tax credit amounting to as much as $7,500 depending on which state you are in.
Low maintenance costs: Compared to gas-powered cars, electric cars may be easier to maintain. Running on electricity, a fully electric car will not require oil changes.
Helping the planet: By purchasing and using electric cars, you are helping to reduce the emission of air pollution and supporting the development of renewable energy.
Why should you choose gas powered over electric cars?
More fueling options: You will rarely have to worry about running out of fuel because gas stations are found everywhere.
Read more: Best Business Insurance for Gas Stations
More range: Limited driving distance is still a weakness of electric cars. Although there are models which can now go for long distances, these cars usually retail for over $100,000, which puts it out of the reach of the average car buyer.
Cheaper price tag: Although electric cars may cost less when it comes to fuel, there is still the fact that gas-powered cars tend to be much cheaper when new as well as used.
Compare The Best Insurance Quotes In The Country
Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Famous Quotes About Electric Cars
One of the most popular proponents for electric cars is engineer and Tesla CEO, Elon Musk. See what he has to say about the topic, and you might just be convinced to finally go electric.
“In order to have clean air in cities, you have to go electric.”
“We will not stop until every car on the road is electric.”
“As of 2016, the number of American car companies that haven’t gone bankrupt is a grand total of two: Ford and Tesla.”
It may take more than a few electric car quotes to get you on board, but that’s why there are plenty of resources available in order to help you make your choice.
Other Environmentally Friendly Cars
While electric cars are the most popular kind of environmentally friendly vehicles, there are other types of alternative vehicles being developed.
Biodiesel cars: The great thing about using biodiesel as fuel is that regular gas-powered cars can be converted to accommodate it. Biodiesel is believed to be better than fossil fuel because it is made of animal fats and vegetable oils which do not produce as many harmful pollutants.
Ethanol cars: These work similarly to biodiesel cars except for the fact that they use ethanol instead. This biofuel is derived from plant sources such as corn, thus making it a renewable type of fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an electric car?
An electric car is a vehicle powered by electricity stored in batteries that can be recharged by plugging the car into an electric power source.
What is the history of electric cars?
The electric car can trace its beginnings back to the 19th century, with Thomas Davenport building the first practical electric car in 1835. In the 20th century, electric cars enjoyed continued popularity, but preference shifted to gas-powered cars for longer drives. The Toyota Prius, the first commercially available and mass-produced hybrid car, was launched in Japan in 1997. Tesla made history with the unveiling of the Tesla Roadster in 2006.
What is the difference between all-electric cars and plug-in hybrid cars?
All-electric cars exclusively run on electricity, while plug-in hybrid cars are designed to run on electricity for a distance and then switch to a gas or hybrid mode for longer distances.
What are the pros and cons of electric cars?
The pros of electric cars include being cheaper to power, tax incentives, low maintenance costs, and helping the environment by reducing air pollution. The cons include limited driving distance, higher price tag, and a lack of fueling options.
What are some famous quotes about electric cars?
Elon Musk, engineer and Tesla CEO, said, “In order to have clean air in cities, you have to go electric,” “We will not stop until every car on the road is electric,” and “As of 2016, the number of American car companies that haven’t gone bankrupt is a grand total of two: Ford and Tesla.”
What are some other environmentally friendly cars?
Biodiesel cars use biodiesel as fuel, while ethanol cars use ethanol derived from plant sources such as corn.
Compare The Best Insurance Quotes In The Country
Compare quotes from the top insurance companies and save!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Eric Stauffer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.