Surprising Facts About the History of EVs

What You May Not Know About EVs

It is important to recognize the tremendous progress made in electric vehicles, from the earliest electric carriages and bicycles to the latest Kia Niro. Here’s a look at some surprising facts about the fascinating history of EVs.

The First EV Dates Back to the 1830s

The electric vehicle has been around longer than you may think. Many claim the first EV was born as early as 1832, centuries before Kia’s EV6 and hybrid Niro. This accomplishment was thanks to clever inventors in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States who were fascinated with the idea of a battery-powered vehicle. 

The First EV Was an Electric Carriage

Did you know the first practical EV was actually a 19th-century electric carriage? William Morrison from Iowa transformed a horse-drawn carriage to accommodate a battery. The electric Surrey carriage debuted at a city parade in 1888 and made an appearance at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Morrison’s electric vehicle had a capacity of 20 people and went at a speed of 20 mph. Unfortunately, the battery needed to be recharged after only 50 miles of travel, which is significantly less than the range of 217 miles that the 2023 Kia EV6 offers.

The First Manned Vehicle on the Moon was an EV

NASA’s Lunar Rovin Vehicle (LRV) made an appearance on the moon during the 1971 Apollo 15 mission. NASA built the electric vehicle with the moon’s low gravity in mind. After traveling in tight quarters, astronauts enjoyed gliding across the moon’s surface, up to 5 miles from where they landed. 

Kia’s First No-Emission Vehicle was a Bicycle 

Before building cars, Kia started out producing bicycle parts. In 1952, Kia released its first no-emissions vehicle, the “Samchully” bicycle. In 2008, Kia showcased two hybrid models with a 15 kW electric motor at the Paris Motor Show. Six years later, the company launched its first electric vehicle for worldwide sale, the Soul EV. Then came the Optima Plug-In Hybrid, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid, and the Kia EV6.

We’re thankful for the pioneers who paved the way for the electric vehicles we know and love today. Discover the advantages of all-electric vehicles at Cowboy Kia, including the all-new 2023 Kia Niro and the 2023 Kia EV6.