When people think of electric vehicles (EVs), they often imagine cutting-edge Teslas or futuristic city cars—but the story of electric motoring goes back much further. In fact, EVs pre-date petrol cars and were once considered the future of transport. At the Battery Vehicle Society, we believe understanding this history is essential not just for enthusiasts, but for anyone curious about how today’s technology came to be.
This Historic EVs page explores the early milestones, forgotten pioneers, and preserved examples that reveal electric transport isn’t a new idea—it’s a revival of one that’s been with us for well over a century.
Early Origins: The Dawn of Electric Motoring
Electric vehicles first appeared in the mid-19th century, with inventors across Europe and America experimenting with battery-powered transport. By the 1880s, practical electric carriages were already on the roads in cities like London and Paris.
In 1889, Thomas Parker, a British engineer from Wolverhampton, built and drove an electric car powered by non-rechargeable batteries. Later versions, using rechargeable lead-acid technology, improved range and reliability. Parker also played a role in electrifying the London Underground and tram systems—proof of how integral electric technology was becoming in British transport.
By 1900, electric vehicles were often preferred to petrol cars, particularly in urban areas. They were clean, quiet, and easier to start—no hand-cranking or messy fuel required.
The Golden Age: 1900–1920
The early 20th century saw a blossoming of electric vehicle use, particularly for city-based services. London’s Berkeley cars, for instance, offered electric taxis, while Columbia Electric models were imported from the US and sold in Britain.
This was also the golden age of the electric delivery vehicle, known today primarily as the “milk float”. Department stores, bakeries, and dairies embraced battery vans as ideal solutions for short-range, stop-start deliveries.
Some notable early EVs include:
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Baker Electric (USA, c.1905): Favoured by wealthy families and even reportedly driven by Clara Ford, wife of Henry Ford.
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Detroit Electric (1907–1939): Offered up to 80 miles of range—more than some modern EVs managed in the 1990s.
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Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies: A British company that produced early electric lorries and industrial vehicles.
Yet, despite their early popularity, electric vehicles lost momentum. The discovery of cheap crude oil, the development of the electric starter motor for petrol cars, and mass production of the Ford Model T made internal combustion vehicles cheaper and more convenient.
Decline and Dormancy: 1930–1970
By the mid-20th century, electric cars had all but vanished from public view. Only a few commercial and industrial EVs remained in use—primarily milk floats, forklifts, and factory tugs.
However, Britain maintained a modest EV presence through companies like Morrison-Electricar and Smith Electric Vehicles, which produced low-speed electric vans and lorries throughout the 1940s–1970s. These vehicles were simple, reliable, and well-suited to urban work. For many people, the quiet whirr of a milk float was the only contact they had with electric transport for decades.
The Resurgence: 1970s Experimental EVs
The 1970s oil crises brought renewed interest in alternative fuels. Amid concerns over energy security, British manufacturers began limited production of electric models, often under government-funded schemes.
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Enfield 8000 (1973–1976): Built on the Isle of Wight, this two-seater EV had a range of about 40 miles and a top speed of 48 mph. It was used in government trials but suffered from high costs and limited public interest.
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Lucas Electric Taxi: A prototype based on a London black cab, never mass-produced but a symbol of early innovation.
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Bedford CF Electric Van: Developed with support from Lucas and Chloride Batteries, used mainly in fleet trials.
Many of these vehicles were ahead of their time—but struggled with lead-acid battery weight, limited range, and lack of infrastructure.
Preserving the Legacy
The Battery Vehicle Society has worked for decades to preserve and celebrate historic electric vehicles. Many members own and maintain rare or one-of-a-kind models, including:
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Enfield 8000s restored to modern driving condition
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Working Morrison milk floats exhibited at community events
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Replica early EVs, rebuilt using traditional methods and components
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Converted classics that retain period styling but use modern batteries
The Society also supports projects involving the restoration of historic EV components, such as early controllers, galvanic chargers, and vintage battery packs.
These projects serve not only as technical showcases but also as historical education tools. When displayed at shows or schools, they offer powerful reminders that clean transport is not a new concept—it’s a long-standing possibility we’re only now realising again.
Why History Matters
Understanding the history of EVs helps us challenge the myth that the technology is untested or overly new. It shows that the current movement towards electrification isn’t a novelty—it’s a continuation.
Today’s vehicles benefit from lithium-ion batteries, regenerative braking, and AI-enhanced powertrains, but they owe their existence to the experiments and endeavours of the past. The mistakes, breakthroughs, and forgotten successes of earlier electric pioneers inform what we build today.
And, as members of the BVS often say: “If they could do it in 1905, so can we.”