Old electric vehicles never die - Part 2

Jay Leno has been a friend to Detroit for many years. You may be aware of his auto website and his impressive collection of vehicles, but you may not be aware of his old electric vehicle, a 1909 Baker Electric.

This video is so cool, because it shows Jay using the original Edison batteries, albeit his charger is new. Plus, Jay, is a credible auto enthusiast.

How's that for automotive longevity? Indeed we have merely reintroduced the EV (electric vehicle) to a 21st Century generation as a technology whose time was merely placed on hold. Videos like these are important, in my opinion, because they give us the historic perspective of technology; and Jay's comments really give the story that personal touch.

Examiner Final Comments

Again, the EV technology of today has changed considerably, but imagine where we might be if the EV had won the hearts and minds of investors and industrialists instead of the gasoline powered engine.

Furthermore, Detroit was not the center of all things automotive at the turn of the 20th Century. Some may question whether it will be today. Highly unlikely, in my opinion, despite all the hoopla over the Chevy Volt. Global competition is indeed fierce.

Just as other towns of the 1890-1930 era had their inventors and mechanics willing to build their dreams along with the future of the automobile, now we have entire countries competing. Unlike a loner like Walter C. Baker who produced his electric cars under the company name of Baker Motor Vehicle Company in Cleveland, Ohio, today's company's include world giants like GM, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, Toyota, Honda; but don't forget company's like Fisker, the maker of the Tesla.

Point is it's going to get very crowded this time, because the electrification of the automobile is here to stay. Natural gas and hydrogen may have their niche, but electro-drives now have our attention. And just as the gasoline engine took over because the seed money went that way, all the available seed money this time is feeding technologies that will secure the electrification of the automobile forever. 

As GM’s new advertisement now states, “May the best car win,“ the best car that wins this time may not be the best technology, but the one that gets the attention of the consumer as having the best value for the money.