History of E-Mobility and where it is headed?

E-mobility is a global trend that has the potential to completely change how people travel. This industry has allegedly boomed over the past ten years. The first electrically powered cars did not suddenly appear throughout the twenty-first century, despite the billions of dollars that businesses all over the world have started spending on research and development. However, due to improved "green" technology, effective charging infrastructure, government incentives, and increased concern over global warming and CO2 emissions, the popularity of E-mobility has surged back since the 1990s. However, currently, the emphasis has changed from engines to batteries resulting in more startup funding for these sectors.

Furthermore, the E-mobility sector is launching a dizzying array of technologies specifically suited for urban roadways, including mobility-as-a-service, cutting-edge parking and traffic management systems, freight-sharing options, and novel two- or three-wheeled transportation concepts.

Anyone who thinks the Electric Vehicle (EV) is a modern innovation is mistaken. It was not created in Silicon Valley, either, in California.?

The earliest EVs date back further to Aberdeen in Scotland. Unexpectedly, EVs have been on the road longer than cars with internal combustion engines. Initially extremely popular, EVs gradually fell behind fossil fuel-powered engines due to their short driving range and bad marketing strategies.

Let’s explore the history of E-mobility!

The history of E-Mobility since 1832

Although a precise date is no longer known, the inventor Robert Anderson started conducting tests on the electrification of vehicles in his workshop between 1832 and 1839, just before the middle of the 19th century. At the same time, pioneers Thomas Davenport in Vermont, the United States, and Sibrandus Stratingh in Groningen, the Netherlands, were both developing the electric motor. Despite being a little sensation from a technological standpoint, this invention failed to catch on since it was still inefficient compared to the steam engine.

Gustave Trouvé, a Frenchman who exhibited the first electrically propelled tricycle in Paris in 1881—a predecessor to the first electric cars—was one of the earliest proponents of electric mobility. His creation had a 26 km range and could travel at lightning speeds of up to 12 km/h. This was not particularly new since a horse can gallop at a speed of about 48 km/h and go more than 45 km in a day. However, it did open the door for other innovators to enhance his drivetrain model.

The Electric Carriage & Wagon Company and Electric Vehicle Company began producing EVs for sale in the USA in 1897. Thus, EVs made up almost 40% of the market in the United States by 1900 (https://lionsmart.com/en/history-of-electric-vehicles/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20earliest%20enthusiasts,a%20range%20of%2026%20km). Furthermore, the renowned Ford Model T unveiled a new electric car in 1908. Since then, the market for electric vehicles kept growing.

Gasoline cars to take over the market?

However, the challenges of slowly charging batteries, inferior performance to engines powered by fossil fuels, and expensive pricing eventually flattened the growth of EVs. Manufacturers created a new image for internal combustion engines through effective promotion and marketing, associating them with less noise and filth and instead giving them positive traits like power, performance, and potential. Ford discontinued manufacturing EVs on its assembly lines in 1913. The production of EVs was essentially put on hold in the 1920s as a result of swift imitation by other manufacturers. Nevertheless, niche markets for EVs such as Dairy Vehicles in Great Britain, and car sharing programs in Amsterdam, continued to support production and demand. However, due to the persistent marketing strategies used by major automakers, EVs were unable to re-enter the mainstream of consumer culture.?

Electric Age upswing in the 90s

Even the 1970s oil crisis, which saw an approximately 300% spike in fuel prices, had no effect on consumers' inclinations for gas-powered vehicles. The potential for a bigger market for electric mobility did not start to take off until the Gulf War in 1991, which brought to light the awareness of oil dependence, and the new environmental legislation in California. As new, lighter lithium-ion batteries replaced an aging, hefty lead-acid batteries, battery technology also advanced.

A new generation of Electric Cars and Mass market acceptance??

With the rise of Tesla in 2005, a new generation of EVs has developed. With the Tesla Roadster, the start-up demonstrated that e-cars can be not only powerful and environmentally responsible, but also a lot of fun. The vehicle set new benchmarks for electric mobility and shone with superb driving performance. Following in 2010, the Nissan Leaf became the best-selling electric vehicle in the world for several years.?

“Tesla is here to stay and keep fighting for the electric car revolution”

• Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla -

In 2017, global sales of EVs surpassed the one-million-unit mark (1.1 million). EV sales increased slowly in 2016 when compared to 2015, but quickly in 2017, with a year-over-year increase of 54% (vs. 38% in 2016). With one of the largest electric car markets in the world, China saw about 580,000 EV sales in 2017, an increase of 72% from the previous year (https://pdiwan.medium.com/electric-mobility-2-0-new-mecca-for-startups-b664afd9a513). Additionally, the Tesla Model 3 sold 365,000 units in 2020, making it the most popular electric passenger car globally (https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/electric-mobility-market-106485).?

Where is it heading to??

The hum you hear off in the distance is the sound of how mobility is evolving—and for the better. Even while there are still obstacles to the electrification of the vehicle fleet, there are also opportunities that are worth fighting for. With a predicted CAGR of 27.2% from 2021 to 2028, the global market for electric mobility is expected to increase from USD 279.45 billion in 2021 to USD 1,507.21 billion in 2028. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/electric-mobility-market-106485?

Incentives and rules have been implemented by governments and towns to hasten the transition to sustainable mobility. Global regulators are setting stricter pollution targets. For example, the European Union unveiled its "Fit for 55" program, which aims to coordinate climate, energy, land use, transportation, and taxation policies to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/the-futures-of-mobility-how-cities-can-benefit). The Biden administration also unveiled a target of 50% EV usage by 2030.

Achieving the expedited scenario of around 75% EV sales in the European Union by 2030 will have effects on the entire EV value chain and ecosystem. To get closer to the net-zero goal, the industry must decarbonize vehicles during their entire lives. As a result, existing automotive suppliers will need to switch over to producing EV components rather than parts for internal combustion engines. To meet the demand for local passenger EV batteries, Europe will also need to construct an estimated 24 new battery gigafactories. By 2030, there will be more than 70 million EVs on the road, necessitating the extensive installation of public chargers and maintenance services. Furthermore, the demand for EV charging will also require a 5% increase in renewable electricity output.

In conclusion, the market for EVs has the potential to boost both economic growth and carbon footprint reduction. We are progressing toward decarbonizing the transportation sector, and EVs are on the horizon, but more must be done. Despite being a significant challenge, it offers both established businesses and newcomers a great chance to play a key part in developing new, multi-billion-dollar sectors and jobs.