WHY ELECTRIC CARS FAILED 100 YEARS AGO

EV Channels Review

This video offers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of electric vehicles with a detailed look at a 1901 Waverly Model 22. The hosts highlight its surprisingly advanced features for the era, such as regenerative braking and a mechanical system for increasing power delivery, contrasting it with the challenges of steam and early combustion engines. While praising its quiet operation and ease of use, particularly for female drivers at the time, the review points out significant limitations: a lack of modern amenities like a steering wheel (using a tiller instead), rudimentary suspension, and very basic braking. The drive segment reveals its slow acceleration and top speed, though the hosts are impressed by its comfortable ride and the longevity of its original electric motor. Ultimately, the video concludes that while EVs were a viable concept from the start, limitations in battery technology, infrastructure, and the advent of the starter motor for internal combustion engines led to their decline until modern battery advancements made EVs practical again.