Many people here are well aware of the fact that electric vehicles are not new tech.
This is for some of the young and those new to this stuff.
Although there have been many many advancements particularly in battery technologies and the solid state controls.
much of the tech in new EV are are a lot of old tech and ideas finally having the existing tech to allow it to be put together in new ways.
I can show an example of this in fact..
more images here
http://gallery.anotherpower.com/main.php/v/My-projects/EV-motor/This is an EV motor built in 1888 or 1889.
I have this stored away in my garage these days, it was one of the many things I inherited from my grandfathers estate..
It was made to drive a horseless carriage style vehicle, putting it among some of the first EV in existence
Similar to this
More info on the manufacturer.
http://www.earlyelectric.com/carcompanies.html
American Electric 1896-1898; American Electric Vehicle Co. Chicago
1898: Merged with Indiana Bicycle Co. to become Waverly.
Incorporated early 1896 by (MIT grad) Clinton Edgar Woods, with capitol stock of $250,000 they had a car on the streets by May. The car featured Baker designed ball bearing axles, solid rubber tires, and twin motor chain drive to the rear wheels.
By 1897 C E Woods was involved in a new company under his own name.
1896-1898 five models, all resembled the open carriages of the time.
Here is a very good website detailing even the first hybrids
http://www.electricvehiclesnews.com/History/historyearlyIII.htm
