Le magazine et marché mondial pour les passionnés de voitures classiques, par des passionnés.
Le magazine et marché mondial pour les passionnés de voitures classiques, par des passionnés.
Nowadays we see the demand for ultra-modern and super streamlined hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric cars rise. Which is wonderful but also strange in a way. If you know that the first small-scale electric vehicles were invented more then 150 years ago. And that is when you start to wonder why it took so many years to develop properly working and super-fast charging (affordable) cars for daily use. Maybe most important is the (improved) technology, which can actually bring you from A to B covering a reasonable distance without (too many) interim stops to charge the car. In addition to this, as you very likely also have noticed is the increasing interest in more sustainable and environmentally friendly vehicles. This is becoming more important than ever before. But if the production and destruction of the batteries is really more environmental friendly (on the long term), we do not know. So we leave that up to you. We have to say we are very pleased to see there are still some of the pre-war electric cars around which are being used on the road, environmental friendly or not.
There is a lot you can say about electric cars. But there is no doubt this lady drives and charges in style. Thereby coming she is also dressed very classy. And just stopped at a charging station to charge her car. Electric vehicles were always very popular amongst the ladies. As they were simple to operate, did not smell, were not (too) fast and there were no leaks with grease and oil everywhere. I can only see advantages! In a way, they were perfect for getting around town and as long as they did not have to cover long distances. Another benefit why these electric cars were in a way superb is the fact they do not have a crank handle to start the car with (the starter motor was not yet invented by then). There was just one simple button to press very gently and you could start your journey. Making it even more interesting for ladies, as the man (in general) did not find cranking very ladylike. Even if they did have the muscle strength to get the handle around.
Back to the photograph. Can anyone tell us more about the electric car we see? We assume the photograph is taken probably around 1910 / 1912. Please comment below if you can help us complete this story.
Words by the editor. Photograph from the archive.
I will not mix in the electric v. gasoline discussion, as it lacks as always new view points. However I can assure you, that in a hundred years our offspring will be transported in a way we never could think of now, but I am certain that it will not be based on gasolene!