History of Electric vehicle in Timeline

An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that is primarily propelled by electric power. This definition includes various types of transport such as road vehicles, trains, boats and submarines, as well as aircraft and spacecraft.

1971: Apollo program Lunar Roving Vehicles used

On the last three missions of the Apollo program in 1971 and 1972, astronauts drove silver-oxide battery-powered Lunar Roving Vehicles distances up to 35.7 kilometers on the lunar surface, demonstrating the use of electric vehicles in space exploration.

1972: Apollo program Lunar Roving Vehicles used

January 1990: General Motors Introduces "Impact" EV concept

In January 1990, General Motors President introduced its EV concept two-seater, the "Impact", at the Los Angeles Auto Show, showcasing the company's early interest in electric vehicles.

1991: First commercial release of lithium-ion batteries

Since their first commercial release in 1991, lithium-ion batteries have become an important technology for achieving low-carbon transportation systems.

1996: GM produced EV1s

From 1996 to 1998, General Motors produced 1117 EV1s, with 800 made available through three-year leases, marking an early effort in electric vehicle production.

1998: California Mandates EV Sales

In September 1990, the California Air Resources Board mandated major-automaker sales of EVs, in phases starting in 1998, signaling a regulatory push towards electric vehicle adoption.

2003: Pollution Concentration Study in the UK

In 2003, a study in the United Kingdom found that pollution is most concentrated in areas where young children and their parents are more likely to live and least concentrated in areas to which the elderly tend to migrate, and that those communities that are most polluted and which also emit the least pollution tend to be amongst the poorest in Britain.

2003: GM Discontinues EV1 Leases

In 2003, upon the expiration of GM's EV1 leases, General Motors discontinued them. The discontinuation has been attributed to the auto industry's challenge to California's zero-emissions vehicle mandate, federal regulations, and a media campaign to reduce public acceptance of EVs.

September 2005: Citroën Berlingo Electrique Production Stopped

In September 2005, the production of the Citroën Berlingo Electrique was stopped, marking the end of this model's production run.

2005: Production of "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

In 2005, the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car?" was made, exploring the roles of automobile manufacturers, oil industry, the U.S. government, batteries, hydrogen vehicles, and the general public, and each of their roles in limiting the deployment and adoption of this technology.

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2006: Release of "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

In 2006, Sony Pictures Classics released the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car?", which explores the roles of automobile manufacturers, the oil industry, the U.S. government, batteries, hydrogen vehicles, and the general public in limiting the adoption of electric vehicles.

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2006: Zenn Started Production

In 2006, Zenn started its production of electric vehicles.

2009: Warning About Electric Vehicles' Impact on Space and Accessibility

In 2009, Karel Martens warned that electric vehicles only solve the problem of emissions by cars while not solving or improving their impact on the amount of space used by cars or parking issues, and that electric vehicles do not improve accessibility to people who do not own cars.

2009: Experimental Shuttle Service of Induction-Based Public Electric Road in Korea

In 2009, Korea tested an experimental shuttle service for induction-based public electric road before commercially launching the bus line in 2013, which was later shut down due to aging infrastructure amidst controversy over the continued public funding of the technology.

2009: Zenn Production Ended

In 2009, Zenn ended its production of electric vehicles.

2013: Commercial Launch of Induction-Based Public Electric Road in Korea

In 2013, Korea was the first to implement an induction-based public electric road with a commercial bus line after testing an experimental shuttle service in 2009, but it was shut down due to aging infrastructure amidst controversy over the continued public funding of the technology.

2013: Swedish Transport Administration Electric Road Program

In 2013, the Swedish Transport Administration electric road program started assessing electric road systems (ERS).

2015: Wireless Electric Roads Found Financially Unfeasible in the UK

In 2015, United Kingdom municipal projects found wireless electric roads financially unfeasible.

2018: Alstom Coradia iLINT trainsets in service

In Germany, several Länder have ordered Alstom Coradia iLINT trainsets, in service since 2018, signaling a move towards fuel-cell electric trains.

2019: UK Study on Household Emissions and Wealth

In 2019, a UK study found that households in the poorest areas emit the least NOx and PM, whilst the least poor areas emitted the highest, per km, vehicle emissions per household through having higher vehicle ownership, owning more diesel vehicles and driving further.

2021: Increase in Critical Mineral Prices

From 2021 to the end of 2022, an increase in the price of critical minerals such as lithium put pressure on historical battery price decreases, affecting the affordability of electric vehicles.

2021: Wireless Electric Roads Found Financially Unfeasible in the UK

In 2021, United Kingdom municipal projects found wireless electric roads financially unfeasible.

June 2022: Electric tugboats used in Auckland, New Zealand

In June 2022, fully electric tugboats began being used in Auckland, New Zealand, showcasing the adoption of electric propulsion in marine transportation.

2022: Increase in Critical Mineral Prices

From 2021 to the end of 2022, an increase in the price of critical minerals such as lithium put pressure on historical battery price decreases, affecting the affordability of electric vehicles.

2022: Net Reduction of GHG Emissions by EVs

In 2022, EVs enabled a net reduction of about 80 Mt of GHG emissions, on a well-to-wheels basis, and the net GHG benefit of EVs will increase over time as the electricity sector is decarbonised.

2022: International Energy Agency Report on EV Emissions

In 2022, the International Energy Agency released a report that claims the manufacturing of an EV emitted on average about 50% more CO2 than an equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle, but this difference is offset by the higher emissions from driving an ICE vehicle over its lifetime.

October 2023: Electric tugboats used in Vancouver, British Columbia

In October 2023, fully electric tugboats began being used in Vancouver, British Columbia, showcasing the adoption of electric propulsion in marine transportation.

2023: Carmakers not using deep sea mining

An alternative method of sourcing essential battery materials being deliberated by the International Seabed Authority is deep sea mining, however carmakers are not using this as of 2023.

2023: Electric Road Pilot Projects in France

In 2023, France began several electric road pilot projects for inductive and rail systems, also finding similar drawbacks for overhead lines as Germany did. Ground-level power supply systems are considered the most likely candidates.

2023: Germany's Findings on Wireless Electric Road System by Electreon

In 2023, Germany found that the wireless electric road system (wERS) by Electreon collects 64.3% of the transmitted energy, poses many difficulties during installation, and blocks access to other infrastructure in the road. Germany also trialed overhead lines in three projects in the 2010s and 2020s and reported they are too expensive, difficult to maintain, and pose a safety risk.

2023: Greenpeace criticism on EV environmental impact

In 2023, Greenpeace issued a video criticizing the view that EVs are "silver bullet for climate", arguing that the construction phase has a high environmental impact. They proposed a mobility as a service concept instead, based on biking, public transport and ride sharing.

2023: Cost-Reduction Measures for Electric Road Systems in Sweden

In 2023, after receiving ERS construction offers in excess of the project's budget, Sweden pursued cost-reduction measures for either wireless ERS or rail ERS.

2023: US State Department on Lithium Supply

In 2023, the US State Department said that the supply of lithium would need to increase 42-fold by 2050 globally to support a transition to clean energy, highlighting the challenges in securing raw materials for electric vehicle batteries.

2023: Ratio of Electric Light-Duty Vehicles per Public Charging Point in the US

In the US, the ratio of electric light-duty vehicles per public charging point was approximately 18:1 in 2023.

2024: GM to start V2H capability with 2024 models

General Motors (GM) is adding a capability called V2H, or bidirectional charging, to allow its new electric vehicles to send power from their batteries to the owner's home. GM will start with 2024 models, including the Silverado and Blazer EVs.

2024: Hyundai and Kia Recall Due to ICCU Failures

In 2024, Hyundai and Kia issued recalls citing failures of the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which could stop charging the 12-volt battery and lead to a loss of drive power, highlighting potential reliability issues in electric vehicle components.

2024: Electric Vehicle Repair Safety Concerns

In 2024, a significant concern for insurers and mechanics involves the infrastructure for vehicle repairs after accidents due to safety requirements when repairing high voltage battery includes electrical injury, arc flash and fire hazard. Batteries and other components must be carefully evaluated rather than being totally written off by insurers.

2024: Nickel mining and deforestation in Indonesia

In 2024, nickel mining and processing was one of the main causes of deforestation in Indonesia, highlighting the environmental impact of mining for EV battery materials.

2024: EV Market Share and Production Statistics

In 2024, over 20% of new cars sold were electric, while only 2% of trucks were electric. China led EV production, accounting for over 70% of global production and 67% of global sales.

2024: Report Against Funding a National ERS in Sweden

In 2024, the Swedish Transport Administration project's final report recommended against funding a national ERS in Sweden as it would not be cost-effective, unless the technology was adopted by its trading partners such as by France and Germany. Following the report, the project was paused.

2024: Increase in Charging Ports in the United States

In the United States, charging ports saw quarterly increases between 4.6% and 6.3% in early 2024.

2025: Limitations of electric aircraft

As of 2025 practical electric aircraft are small and limited to a few hundred kilometres.

2025: Projected Bans on Fossil Fuel Vehicle Sales

As of 2025, many countries will ban sales of fossil fuel road vehicles between 2025 and 2040.

2025: Financial Incentives for Commercial EV Adoption in Europe

As of 2025, most European countries offer financial incentives to encourage commercial EV adoption. Partnerships between EV manufacturers and utility companies have also provided incentives and sales on EV purchases to promote cleaner energy usage and transportation. Companies selling EVs have partnered with local electric utilities to provide large incentives on some electric vehicles.

2026: China's EV industry leads global production

As of 2026, the electric vehicle industry in China produces more than the rest of the world combined, marking China's dominance in the EV market.

2026: GM Promises V2H Capability through 2026 Models

General Motors (GM) promises to continue the V2H feature through to model year 2026, expanding the availability of bidirectional charging in its electric vehicles.

2027: Toyota's Target for Solid-State Battery Production

Toyota continues to lead development efforts, targeting solid-state battery production by 2027–2028 with goals of 1,000 km range and 10-minute fast charging capabilities.

2028: Projected Mass Production of Solid-State Batteries

According to market analysis published in Scientific Talks, solid-state batteries are projected to reach mass production with costs of 140–175 USD per kWh by 2028–2030, depending on technological and manufacturing challenges.

2028: Projected Global Market Oversupply

Industry reports project that global market oversupply will persist through 2028, accelerating price reductions, indicating improved economics for electric vehicles.

2028: Toyota's Target for Solid-State Battery Production

Toyota continues to lead development efforts, targeting solid-state battery production by 2027–2028 with goals of 1,000 km range and 10-minute fast charging capabilities.

2030: Projected Mass Production of Solid-State Batteries

2030: US Government Target for Public Charging Ports

By 2030, the US government objective is to reach 500,000 public charging ports.

2035: SNCF plans to replace diesel-electric trains with hydrogen trains

In France, the SNCF plans to replace all its remaining diesel-electric trains with hydrogen trains by 2035.

2035: Projected Ratio of Electric Vehicles to Charging Points in the US

In the US, the ratio of electric light-duty vehicles per public charging point is projected to climb dramatically from approximately 18:1 in 2023 to over 80:1 by 2035.

2035: Recycled sources to supply EVs

One source estimates that over a fifth of the lithium and about 65% of the cobalt needed for electric cars will be from recycled sources by 2035, highlighting the potential for sustainable sourcing of materials.

2035: Fraunhofer ISI Solid-State Battery Roadmap 2035+

The Fraunhofer ISI Solid-State Battery Roadmap 2035+, developed with contributions from more than 100 European experts, provides a comprehensive assessment of solid-state battery development potential over the next decade, benchmarking against established lithium-ion batteries.

2035: Projected Emissions Intensity of India's Grid

The emissions intensity of India's grid is projected to fall by 60% by 2035, rapidly increasing the environmental benefit of electrification, illustrating the importance of decarbonizing electricity generation.

2040: Projected Bans on Fossil Fuel Vehicle Sales

As of 2040, many countries will ban sales of fossil fuel road vehicles between 2025 and 2040.

2050: US State Department Projections on Lithium Supply

In 2023 the US State Department said that the supply of lithium would need to increase 42-fold by 2050 globally to support a transition to clean energy.