Encyclopedia > American Electric (1899 automobile)
The American Electric was an Americanautomobile manufactured in New York City from 1899 to 1902. The company built a wide range of electric carriages - these were claimed to be capable of running from 35 to 50 miles. Perhaps optimistically, the manufacturer claimed that "very few private carriages would ever be subjected to such a test".
American Thomas Davenport is credited with building the first practical electric vehicle -- a small locomotive.
Of the 4,192 cars produced in the United States 28 percent are powered by electricity, and electric autos represent about one-third of all cars found on the roads of New York City, Boston, and Chicago.
The electric car's downfall is attributable to a number of factors, including the desire for longer distance vehicles, their lack of horsepower, and the ready availability of gasoline.
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