Why Electric Cars Lost to Gasoline—and How They’re Making a Comeback

Governments around the world offer incentives to encourage drivers to switch to electric vehicles: purchase discounts, lower interest rates on loans, free use of charging stations, tax benefits, reduced import duties, and more. Yet over a century ago, in the early 1900s, some regions actually had more electric cars than gasoline-powered ones. So why did battery-powered vehicles fail to establish lasting dominance? Historical Overview At the start of the 20th century, European capitals and New York streets were teeming with electric vehicles. They were used for errands, as taxis, in races, and even to set speed records. Why switch from a quiet, clean, environmentally friendly car to noisy, gasoline-powered machines? Operating an electric car was simple: move a lever or press a button. Gasoline cars, in contrast, required turning a crank manually, demanding physical strength. Pure gasoline was rare and vehicles often broke down due to fuel issues, so many preferred electric cars—especially women, who valued cleanliness and lacked the strength to crank engines. Although range was limited to 30–40 km, it was sufficient for short city trips.