When we think of electric vehicles; Teslas, Chevy Bolts, Mustang Mach-Es and others probably come to mind. But, the history of EVs stretches back more than a century.
During my cross-country Mustang Mach-E EV drive of more than 4,800 miles, I came across the 1914 Elwell-Parker electric baggage wagon in the EV Rider video at the top of this post. You’ll find it on display at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.
The electric powered vehicle was used for decades at Union Station to transport mail through the train station’s underground tunnel system and to tow passenger luggage from one location to the other.
Here’s another fun fact: electric cars were actually the best-selling automobiles produced at the turn of the 20th century, according to Elwell-Parker.
While Elwell-Parker is much better known today for its EV logistics solutions, like lift trucks, in its early years the Detroit Electric Car Company bought a controlling interest to guarantee it would have enough parts for its electric cars. That’s according to Elwell-Parker’s history page.
Ewell-Parker – founded in 1893 – is still in business, making things such as electric platform trucks.
The company first gained prominence with its electric porters, which were originally an ordinary hand truck with batteries and a motor.
Detroit Electric declared bankruptcy in 1929 as gasoline cars quickly overtook electrics. But Elwell-Parker survived, going on to invent the lift truck and it continues to innovate to this day.
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