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TIL a fleet of electric taxi cars was first introduced to London, UK in 1897 (en.wikipedia.org)

submitted 2 years ago by Madbrad200@lemmy.world to c/todayilearned@lemmy.ml

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We've gone full circle

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[–] xkforce@lemmy.world 35 points 2 years ago

The electric car predates cars powered by internal combustion engines. Before coal and oil took over, society was more or less powered with biofuels like wood and alternative energy sources like water wheels and windmills.

[–] photonic_sorcerer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 23 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Imagine if development of these electric vehicles continued back then - the internal combustion engine would've been rendered all but obsolete.

[–] Jivebunny@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago

And we would've had a future

[–] PowerCrazy@lemmy.ml 8 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Doubtful. Internal Combustion engines took off well before the petroleum industry was obscenely wealthy. Coal/Railroad had a vested interest in keeping cars as a rich person toy rather then as something to build a society around. ICE powered by Oil/Kerosene was and IS much more energy dense then batteries were then, and are today. You have more energy per unit volume in a gallon of gas then even the most exotic batteries. That directly translates to more power, more distance, and more opportunity for miniaturization.

[–] Admetus@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I reckon primarily the energy density and the convenience of merely filling up. Electric cars would not have had the raw power and ease of combustion engines. At least battery tech has now caught up.

[–] PowerCrazy@lemmy.ml -3 points 2 years ago

Yea the liquid form factor is certainly a huge advantage as well.

[–] Kuvwert@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago

Shell and BP

[–] Thorny_Thicket@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 years ago

If nothing else, they would've faced the same limitations with battery capacity as we are today.

[–] Reality_Suit@lemmy.one 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

We've had many technologies that would drastically help humanity for a very long time, but capitalistic assholes have to constantly fuck it all up. Money is not the problem, but the greed for more will kill us all.

[–] violetraven@lemmy.blahaj.zone -5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Wait, you mean space Karen didn't come up with this idea first /sarcasm

[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

What the fuck is this comment even supposed to mean?

[–] pfannkuchen_gesicht@lemmy.one 6 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Musk fans thinking he invented the electric car. I'm not sure though that anyone actually thinks that.

[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I don't disagree with that statement, but I'm not convinced that's what OC meant.

[–] bandario@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Pretty sure space Karen is a common nickname for musky boi

[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world -1 points 2 years ago

Well that's just insulting to people named Karen.