Electric vehicles of yesterday carry us into tomorrow

The first car powered by an electric motor was built in 1847 by Moses Farmer. By 1901, there were over 4,000 electric automobiles. During that time, the electric car dominated the field of transportation over the gasoline and steam powered automobiles for many years. However, the electric motors and controllers in these early cars have made great technical advances, the electric automobile has not regained the position it once had. The basic components of the electric vehicles of decades past are the same as the electric vehicles of today. Electric motors, batteries, and a control system, still comprise the major components of a modern electric vehicle drive system. Of course the composition of each of these components has changed with advances in technology. Here, the author describes how modern advances in materials and designs of the body of the vehicles have added to their rebirth as a means of transportation. Future advances in technology may again bring electric vehicles to a dominating position in the world of transportation.