[Technology Query] - Earliest possible adoption of electric cars?

Just saying it won't be even as large as Steam, given the lack of electrical hookups at this time.
The only real universal electrical socket was the Edison screw in, like used for lightbulbs, the two blade electrical plug was just coming into fashion and there were dozens of competing designs, few being interchangeable till after WWI

Even with laws pushing for electric, you will only be slightly more successful than Baker-- who was done by 1914

Problem is, Electric, it's expensive. 2-3x as much as a Model T original price, even without the infrastructure issues.

Here's a good overview of what was available in 1907
The electric infrastructure wasn't a problem even before the 2 blade plug. Short range deliveries were done from a single garage which was fitted to recharge trucks, and only that required electrical hookups. This constituted a majority of deliveries in larger cities, a sufficiently large market.
 
The electric infrastructure wasn't a problem even before the 2 blade plug. Short range deliveries were done from a single garage which was fitted to recharge trucks, and only that required electrical hookups. This constituted a majority of deliveries in larger cities, a sufficiently large market.

But deliveries are still a tiny portion of the number of autos. It's just not enough.
 
Maybe have some economic scenario where trams are less advantageous to trollybusses in cities. Early cars and tracks rely on overhead power in downtown areas and battery power near homes and suburbs.
 

SwampTiger

Banned
Ford licenses the Nickel-Cadmium technology to build electric Model T city cars and buses, as well as electric delivery trucks.
 
Ford licenses the Nickel-Cadmium technology to build electric Model T city cars and buses, as well as electric delivery trucks.
While the Model T was around, you had Edison's Nickel Iron battery, and Lead Acid, NiCad was decades away, and even then were not good for power output needed for autos for years after that.

Silver Cadmium was around but they were not mature till WWII, and doesn't get around that they were very expensive.
 
The NiCad was available in Europe. Get Edison or Ford onboard and the investment will follow.
Fusion power is available now too, but it's not even close to economical.

Just getting Ford on board isn't enough, as even he couldn't get Rubber Production going and that's was a far easier task.

The other battery types just were not up for wide scale use til WWII
 
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