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When was the electric car charging station invented?
My husband says that Tesla invented the charging station, but I’m sure that’s not correct because electric cars have been around a lot longer than that. When was the electric car charging station invented?
Bellina Gaskey · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! The first true electric car charging station was invented in 1899. It was launched by General Electric to make electric vehicles more accessible for the average person.
Since then, as interest in electric cars experienced a roller coaster, there have been a few different versions of
electric charging stations
.In the mid-19th century, electric cars were more popular than gas vehicles. This was before Internal Combustion Engines were optimized for mass production.
Rechargeable batteries hadn’t been invented yet, so there were just rooms where empty disposable batteries were exchanged for fresh batteries that had a full charge.
Eventually, French physicist Gaston Planté invented the rechargeable battery.
However, very few households had electricity back then. So unlicensed spaces like halls were dedicated to charging electric vehicles. The car could be driven in and then connected to a massive cable that charged it.
In 1899, General Electric launched the Electrant station, a large telephone-pillar-looking station in major cities that people could recharge at This was the first attempt at making
infrastructure
that could better support electric vehicles. And then, the gas car fought back.Suddenly combustion engines were easier to use and could be mass-produced, as well as having a better range. The cheap fuel prices at the time added to the dog pile, making electric vehicles fall by the wayside.
With the re-emergence of electric vehicles, soaring gas prices, and a climate crisis, electric vehicle stations are popping up all over the place, and are easier than ever to have installed in your home.
Whether you drive gas or electric, get yourself the most affordable insurance.
Jerry
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