The first practical electric car was built in the 19th century, by the Swede Anders Celsius in 1772. However, the three-wheeled electric car designed by the French engineer Gustave Trouvé in 1881 became known to a wider public.

The first four-wheeled electric car was built in 1884 by the Englishman Thomas Parker. Parker also produced electric cars in large quantities.

However, the electric car became popular in the early 20th century, when major car manufacturers such as Baker Electric, Detroit Electric and Columbia Electric started mass producing electric cars.

Here are some links to find out more about the first electric car:

  1. Britannica - Electric Automobile https://www.britannica.com/technology/electric-automobile
  2. History.com - The Rise and Fall of the Electric Car https://www.history.com/news/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-electric-car
  3. Autocar - The first cars: 1870s to 1900s https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/first-cars-1870s-1900s