4.6 Decline in Popularity of Electric Powered Cars

• The decline in popularity of electric powered cars can be attributed to a combination of reasons.

• In 1912 Charles Kettering’s (American) invention of the electrical starter motor ignition system did away with the need to start petrol powered cars with the cumbersome, and sometimes dangerous, hand crank.
• Compared to petrol powered cars they became too expensive.

• The horsepower of electric powered cars was limited in comparison to the emerging petrol powered cars.

• The ever-growing need, especially during the 1920s, to travel longer distances.

• The increasing availability of petrol.

• By the late 1930s, the electric motor car industry had almost completely disappeared.