A BRIEF HISTORY OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND OIL

EV Channels Review

This episode of Fully Charged features a compelling historical discussion between Robert Llewellyn and historian Dan Snow, tracing the intertwined histories of electric vehicles (EVs) and the oil industry. Snow highlights that EVs predated internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, even dominating early markets like Manhattan in the early 1900s. The conversation delves into the rise of oil, its impact on global conflicts and economies, and the various oil crises that shaped the 20th century. Snow emphasizes how oil became a critical strategic resource, influencing international politics and wars. The episode also touches upon the resurgence of renewable energy, including wind and solar, as viable alternatives to fossil fuels. The core takeaway is that technological disruption is rapid and often underestimated, and that significant engineering challenges can be overcome with sufficient resources and focus, drawing parallels to historical achievements like the Apollo program.