5 Electrifying Fun Facts About Electric Cars

More and more Pittsford drivers are making the switch to electric for the greater good of the planet. Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles produce far fewer tailpipe emissions, and are set to eventually replace all traditional vehicles in the future, as all automakers, including Volkswagen, are aiming to completely electrify all models by 2035, with Volkswagen creating the Volkswagen ID.4 as an example. In the following article, Ide VW of East Rochester has put together several fun facts about electric cars, so read on to acquaint yourself with the fascinating history and future of electric vehicles!

There Are Several Different Types of Electric Vehicles

You’ve already seen hybrid and electric vehicles on Webster and Fairport roads, but did you know that there are four different categories?

1. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV): As their name suggests, BEVs fully operate off of electricity with the help of an electric battery. These are much more efficient in comparison to hybrid and plug-in hybrids.
2. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): Hybrid vehicles use both an internal combustion and an electric battery. HEVs recharge their batteries via regenerative braking and through the internal combustion engine,
3.  Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVS):  Plug-in hybrids can charge their battery from an external socket and are charged via an external source rather than through regenerative braking and an internal combustion engine,
4. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs): These are powered by hydrogen gas which is stored in a tank, and are the most efficient EVs yet, as they only release water vapor as emissions. And with the recent breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology, the future of FCEVs is especially promising.

Electric Vehicles Are Becoming Less Expensive

Some Fairport drivers are hesitant about ever making the jump the electric due to the price of electric vehicles. While EVs are expensive right now, the prices are dropping year after year as more automakers are developing EV models with goals of solely going electric. And electric vehicles require far less maintenance than traditional gasoline powered cars, which makes them less costly in the long run. And–you can receive a tax credit from the government on some electric vehicle models.

Electric Cars Actually Aren’t a New Invention

No, the first electric vehicle was not a Tesla, and Elon Musk certainly did not contribute to the pioneering of EV technology. In fact, the origins of EV technology dates back to the 1830’s, when Robert Anderson invented the first crude electric carriage. The Scottish innovator developed a never before seen prototype of a “electric-powered carriage,” which operated from a non-rechargeable battery, known as primary cells. The non-rechargeable battery relied on crude oil to generate electricity. The exact date of Anderson’s invention is unknown, but historians believe it was invented sometime between 1832 to 1839. 

Electric Vehicles Became Popular In The 1890’s

The first legitimate electric car was developed in Des Moines, Iowa, somewhere between 1890-1891 by Scottish chemist Willliam Morrison, who was deeply interested in furthering the technology behind storage batteries. The wagon seated up to six passengers, and could reach up to speeds up to 14 miles per hour. Consumer interest surrounding electric vehicles began to pick up in 1895.

The First Car to Go From 0-60mph Was An EV in 1899

In 1899, Belgian race car driver Camulle Jenatzy built and tested out an electric car known as La Jamais Contente, which translates to Never Satisfied. La Jamais Contente was the first ever vehicle on the road to exceed 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour). For this time period, Jenatzy’s feat was truly remarkable, yet the race car driver’s achievements have received very little acclaim over the last century. Still, Jenatzy became known as Le Diable Rouge (the “Red Devil”), due to his fiery red hair and his success in setting speed records.

Go Electric With the Volkswagen I.D. 4

Ready to partake in the EV revolution? Volkswagen is doing it with the Volkswagen ID.4. Discover Volkswagen ID.4 models with the help of our vehicle finder service or by exploring our new vehicle inventory at Ide VW of East Rochester in East Rochester.