Charging Ahead: Early Electric Cars in America
J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery, April 20 – October 20

Electric vehicles are an increasingly large percentage of new car sales in America and are an important part of the solution for a warming climate. But they are not a recent innovation. In fact, electric cars appeared long before the earliest gas autos. Who made these early electric cars and how were they charged? And why did they lose favor to gasoline cars?

This exhibit is inspired by a 2022 gift to the Heritage collection of a c. 1905 mercury arc rectifier from Hull, Massachusetts. This early car charger was made by General Electric and used by Frances Goodnow to charge her 1908 Bailey Electric. Along with this gift, visitors will also be able to see and learn about Heritage’s 1917 Milburn and its charger.