10 Classic Evs You Didn't Know Existed
Okay, let’s talk electric cars. When you hear "EV," what pops into your head? Probably a Tesla, right? Or maybe a Nissan Leaf. Super popular, super visible. But what if I told you there's a whole secret club of electric vehicles out there? Ones that zipped around before it was cool, or maybe just… didn't get the memo to be famous. Think of these as the quirky cousins at the family reunion. The ones with the interesting stories you only hear after a few lemonades.
So, buckle up (or unbuckle, it's electric, it's quiet). We're going on a fun little road trip through EV history. Get ready to discover some gems you probably never knew existed. And hey, maybe you'll nod along and think, "Yep, I could totally rock one of those."
The OGs and the Oddballs
First up, let’s rewind. Way, way back. Before even your grandpa’s grandpa was thinking about the environment, electric carriages were a thing! Seriously. Back in the late 1800s, these weren’t just experiments. They were the fancy, quiet alternative to those noisy, smelly gasoline contraptions. Imagine pulling up to the opera in an electric carriage. So chic!
One of the earliest stunners was the Baker Electric. This car was seriously sleek for its time. It was like the iPhone of its day. People loved them. They were quiet, easy to drive (no cranking!), and didn't smell like horse. What’s not to love?
Then there was the Detroit Electric. These were super popular too. Think of them as the Rolls-Royce of early EVs. They were built to last, and many of them were incredibly well-made. Some of them even had names like "Model 47 Broadway." Fancy!
Now, fast forward a bit. The 1960s and 70s. This was a weird time for cars. Gas prices were nuts. So, people started looking at electric again. And oh boy, did they get creative. Enter the General Motors Electrovair. This wasn't exactly a production car. It was more of a concept, a glimpse into the future. They took a regular Chevy Corvair and slapped an electric motor in it. It was bulky, the batteries were massive, and it didn’t go very far. But it was trying. And we appreciate the effort, GM.
Speaking of GM, have you ever heard of the GM EV1? Okay, this one is somewhat known, but mostly for its dramatic ending. It was a purpose-built EV in the 90s. Sleek, aerodynamic, and surprisingly fun to drive. People who drove it loved it. And then… well, it got recalled and crushed. A real electric mystery. It’s like a Hollywood tragic romance, but with car parts.
The Quirky and the Underrated
Let’s hop over to the land of small, practical cars. The Enfield 8000. This little British number from the 70s was basically a golf cart that could drive on the road. It was tiny, cute, and perfect for zipping around town. If you saw one of these today, you’d probably do a double-take. Is that a toy car? Nope, it’s an EV!
And then there’s the Commuta-Car. This was another one of those really small, utilitarian electric vehicles. Think of it as the electric scooter of the 70s, but with a roof and doors. It was all about getting from point A to point B without fuss. No frills, just pure electric power. Perfect for running errands or a quick trip to the shops.
Now, for something a little more… avant-garde. The Reva Electric Car Company’s G-Wiz. This car hailed from India and was designed for urban mobility. It was more like a very basic enclosed quadricycle. Safety standards were… different back then. But hey, it was electric! And it was definitely a conversation starter. You wouldn’t miss it in a parking lot.
Let’s get a bit more modern, but still slightly obscure. The Think City. This Norwegian EV was built with a focus on simplicity and sustainability. It was small, practical, and had a decent range for its time. It wasn't flashy, but it was a solid electric car. It tried to be the sensible choice, the quiet achiever of the EV world.
And finally, something that bridges the gap between old and new. The Chrysler TEVan. This was an electric minivan prototype from the 90s. Minivans are usually associated with road trips and hauling families, not futuristic tech. But Chrysler gave it a shot. It was a glimpse of what family electric travel could have looked like. A spacious electric box! Who knew?
So there you have it. Ten electric vehicles that might not be topping the sales charts today, but they all played a part in the electric revolution. They’re the unsung heroes, the cars that dared to be different. Next time you see a fancy new EV, give a nod to these pioneers. They paved the way, sometimes in incredibly quirky ways. And that, my friends, is pretty cool.