History of Electric Cargo Vans

The history of the electric cargo van is one that can claim to have roots in the late 19^th century. Many aspects of the electric car industry also go back this far, but electric cargo vans have one of the strongest claims to going back this far. This is because electric cargo vans have been around in one form another almost since the original creation of the automobile.

In the 1880s, when the first round of electrification was attempted in the case of automobiles, what people found was that electricity was too cumbersome after the combustion engine was developed.  This was especially true for automobiles that had been developed with long storage areas for the transportation of cargo.  These early cargo vans did not respond well to electrification and for the most part it was not attempted with them any further.

However, this does not mean that electrification was not tried again until the present day.  In fact, about 40 years ago there were several universities working on a way to electrify cargo vans in order to help the West cut down on their dependence on oil from the Middle East.

As so often happens, the history of electric vehicles is such that advances have really only been made after the initial phase as a result of political crises.  The current energy crisis is certainly an example of one of those and that is why electric cargo vans have made a comeback in the last few years.  Only time will tell whether it is permanent this time or just another flash in the pan.

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