From the origins of Stanley Steamer to a test-drive of a Nissan
Leaf, 25 guests received an evening of history and science at
“The 180-Year History of Electric Vehicles” at Apex’s Halle
Cultural Arts Center on July 10. The Apex Historical Society
sponsored the event. Dr. Ewan Pritchard, Director of Industry,
Collaboration and Innovation for Advanced Transportation Energy
Center at North Carolina State University, presented a brief
timeline of electric and hybrid vehicles. It stretched from
1821, when British scientist Michael Faraday invented the
electric motor, to 1901, when Thomas Edison invented the nickel-
iron battery. Dr. Pritchard discussed how electric vehicles
attracted drivers because of their easy use. “The thing people
really liked about electric vehicles was they could just get in
and drive,” unlike gasoline-powered cars that required turning a
crank to start, Dr. Pritchard said. He also displayed early 20th
century advertisements for electric cars. One featured the Baker
Electric Torpedo, which d