History of Electric vehicle in Timeline

An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that is propelled mostly or entirely by electric power. EVs are found in various forms of transportation including road, rail, boats, submersibles, aircraft, and spacecraft.

1971: Apollo program missions used Lunar Roving Vehicles

In 1971, astronauts on the Apollo program drove silver-oxide battery-powered Lunar Roving Vehicles on the lunar surface.

1972: Apollo program missions used Lunar Roving Vehicles

In 1972, astronauts on the Apollo program drove silver-oxide battery-powered Lunar Roving Vehicles on the lunar surface.

1991: First Commercial Release of Lithium-Ion Batteries

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

1998: California Air Resources Board EV Sales Mandate

In 1998, the California Air Resources Board mandated major automakers to sell EVs in phases, marking a significant regulatory step towards promoting electric vehicle adoption.

2003: UK Study on Pollution Concentration

A 2003 study in the United Kingdom revealed that pollution is most concentrated in areas inhabited by young children and their parents, while being least concentrated in areas where the elderly tend to live.

2003: GM discontinues EV1 Leases

In 2003, General Motors (GM) discontinued its EV1 leases upon their expiration, leading to the end of the EV1 program. This decision was attributed to various factors, including legal challenges to California's zero-emissions mandate and successful campaigns 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 its production run.

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

In 2006, Sony Pictures Classics theatrically released the film "Who Killed the Electric Car?", which explores the roles of various stakeholders in limiting the deployment and adoption of electric vehicles.

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2006: Zenn production started

In 2006, Zenn started the production of their electric vehicles.

2009: Zenn production ended

By 2009, Zenn ended the production of their electric vehicles.

2009: Karel Martens Warns of Limited EV Benefits

In a 2009 article, transport planner Karel Martens warned that electric vehicles only solve the problem of emissions but do not solve or improve the impact on the amount of space used by cars or parking issues, and also do not improve accessibility to people who do not own cars.

2009: Korea Tests Experimental Shuttle Service

Korea tested an experimental shuttle service in 2009, prior to implementing an induction-based public electric road with a commercial bus line in 2013.

2013: Korea Implements Induction-Based Public Electric Road

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.

2013: Sweden Starts Electric Road Systems Assessment

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

2015: UK Municipal Projects Find Wireless Electric Roads Unfeasible

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

2018: Alstom Coradia iLINT trainsets in service in Germany and Alstom's UK fuel cell train plan

In 2018, Alstom Coradia iLINT trainsets began service in Germany, and Alstom announced plans to retrofit British Rail Class 321 trainsets with fuel cells in the United Kingdom.

2019: UK Study on Vehicle Emissions

In 2019, a UK study found that households in the poorest areas emitted the least amount of NOx and PM, while the least poor areas emitted the highest amount of vehicle emissions per household, due to higher vehicle ownership, more diesel vehicles, and longer driving distances.

2021: Increase in Critical Mineral Prices

From 2021 to the end of 2022, the price of critical minerals such as lithium increased, putting pressure on historical battery price decreases.

2021: UK Municipal Projects Find Wireless Electric Roads Unfeasible

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

June 2022: Electric tugboats being used in Auckland, New Zealand

In June 2022, fully electric tugboats are being used in Auckland, New Zealand.

2022: Increase in Critical Mineral Prices

From 2021 to the end of 2022, the price of critical minerals such as lithium increased, putting pressure on historical battery price decreases.

2022: Net reduction of GHG emissions due to EVs

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

2022: CO2 Emissions from EV Manufacturing vs ICE Vehicles

In 2022, the manufacturing of an EV emitted on average around 50% more CO2 than an equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle, though this is offset by lower lifetime emissions during operation.

October 2023: Electric tugboats being used in Vancouver, British Columbia

In October 2023, fully electric tugboats are being used in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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

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

2023: France Begins Electric Road Pilot Projects

In 2023, France began several electric road pilot projects for inductive and rail systems, considering ground-level power supply systems as the most likely candidates.

2023: Germany Finds Drawbacks of Wireless Electric Road System

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.

2023: Greenpeace criticizes EVs as a "silver bullet for climate"

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

2023: US State Department says that the supply of lithium would need to increase

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.

2023: Ratio of electric light-duty vehicles per public charging point

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

2023: EU Battery Regulation

Regulatory mechanisms, such as the EU Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) were introduced in 2023 to reduce the environmental impact of batteries throughout their life cycle.

2024: Safety concerns for EV repairs

Although no fatalities have been reported in electric vehicle repair till year 2024, repairing the high voltage battery includes electrical injury, arc flash and fire hazard.

2024: GM adds V2H capability to electric vehicles

General Motors (GM) is adding a capability called V2H, or bidirectional charging, to its new electric vehicles, starting with 2024 models like the Silverado and Blazer EVs.

2024: Nickel mining and processing causing deforestation in Indonesia

In 2024, nickel mining and processing was one of the main causes of deforestation in Indonesia, highlighting the environmental impact of raw material extraction for EV batteries.

2024: Electric Vehicle Sales and Production in 2024

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

2024: Sweden Pauses National ERS Funding

In 2024, the final report of the Swedish Transport Administration's electric road program recommended against funding a national ERS in Sweden as it would not be cost-effective, and the project was paused.

2024: Increase in Charging Ports in US

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

2025: Limitations of electric aircraft

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

2025: Financial Incentives for Commercial EV Adoption in Europe

As of 2025, most European countries offer financial incentives to encourage commercial EV adoption, and partnerships between EV manufacturers and utility companies provide incentives and sales on EV purchases.

2025: Many countries will ban sales of fossil fuel road vehicles

By 2025, many countries will ban sales of fossil fuel road vehicles.

2026: China's dominance in EV production

As of 2026, the electric vehicle industry in China produces more than the rest of the world combined, highlighting its leading position in the global EV market.

2026: GM V2H feature continuation

General Motors promises to continue the V2H feature through to model year 2026.

2027: Toyota Targets 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.

2028: Projected market oversupply through 2028

Industry reports project that the global market will have oversupply of electric vehicles through 2028, accelerating price reductions.

2028: Toyota Targets 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

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.

2030: US Objective for Public Charging Ports

By 2030, the US has an objective of reaching 500,000 public charging ports.

2035: Projected decrease in emission intensity of India's grid

By 2035, the emissions intensity of India's grid is projected to fall by 60%, rapidly increasing the environmental benefit of electrification.

2035: SNCF plans to replace all its remaining diesel-electric trains

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

2035: Projected increase in recycled materials for EVs

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

2035: Projected Ratio Increase of EVs per Charging Point in the US

Projections indicate a measurable risk of insufficient charging port density in the US. The ratio of electric light-duty vehicles per public charging point is projected to climb dramatically to over 80:1 by 2035.

2035: Fraunhofer ISI Solid-State Battery Roadmap

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.

2040: Many countries will ban sales of fossil fuel road vehicles

By 2040, many countries will ban sales of fossil fuel road vehicles.

2050: The supply of lithium would need to increase

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.