The ABCs of EVs in CT 130 Years Ago (Ep. 107)

Step aside Elon Musk … the first mass-produced electric vehicle wasn’t a TESLA made in California … it was a Columbia Motor Carriage, made in Hartford. And, a critical invention involving rubber developed in Seymour (but not for tires) made it all possible. CT was the nationwide leader in car manufacturing in 1897, when 50% of the cars on the road were powered by electricity (rather than the less than 5% today). How the industries of EVs and rubber came together 130 years ago is told by Joe Iamartino, Chief Technology Officer of the Marmon Electrical Group, owner of the Seymour firm that contributed its technology.