Introduction to eMobility

In the 1800s, inventors and engineers were already dreaming of clean, silent, and efficient transportation. The early electric vehicles (EVs) were a glimpse into a future that the world wasn’t quite ready for. Scottish inventor Robert Anderson is often credited with creating one of the earliest electric vehicles in the 1830s, powered by non-rechargeable batteries. Imagine: while most people were traveling by horse-drawn carriages, visionaries were already experimenting with electric power!

However, electric vehicles didn’t catch on initially, mainly due to the limitations of early batteries and the rise of the internal combustion engine (ICE). But these early EVs laid the foundation for what we see today, showcasing that electric power could be a viable alternative for transportation. Fast forward to the 21st century, and those early dreams are finally becoming reality as modern technology overcomes the barriers that stopped early EVs in their tracks.

The heart of every electric vehicle is its battery. Just as the engine defines a gasoline car, the battery is what sets EVs apart. In the past, early batteries were limited in capacity, expensive, and difficult to recharge. This made electric vehicles impractical for widespread use. But then came the lithium-ion battery revolution in the late 20th century, which changed everything.

Lithium-ion batteries offered higher energy density, longer life, and faster charging times, making electric vehicles more practical and affordable. Today, researchers continue to push the boundaries with new types of batteries, such as solid-state batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries, which promise even greater efficiency, safety, and range. This progress in battery technology is the key driver behind the resurgence of electric vehicles. It’s a race against time, with researchers aiming to improve battery life, charging speed, and recyclability to make e-mobility even more sustainable.

The path of e-mobility has been marked by a few key moments that changed everything. One of these turning points came in the early 2000s, when Tesla Motors entered the scene with a bold vision: to make electric cars that were not only eco-friendly but also thrilling to drive. Tesla’s launch of the Roadster in 2008 demonstrated that electric vehicles could be high-performance, desirable, and practical for daily use.

Governments also played a crucial role. In the last decade, many countries introduced incentives and subsidies to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, making EVs more accessible to the average consumer. Additionally, increasing concerns over climate change have led to stricter emissions regulations worldwide, forcing automakers to accelerate their shift to electric models.

Today, almost every major automaker has committed to electrifying their lineup, with many pledging to phase out gasoline engines within the next 20 years. It’s clear: the transition to electric mobility is no longer a question of “if,” but “when.” These key moments and decisions have set e-mobility on an unstoppable course, promising a cleaner, greener future for transportation.