--- title: "Alex Roy History of electric vehicles." description: "The world's first electric car. Stratingh's Electric Cart: A Pioneering Invention In 1835, Sibrandus Stratingh, a professor of chemistry and technology in Groningen, built a groundbreaking electric cart alongside his assistant Christopher Becker. This small-scale model, now displayed at the University Museum in Groningen, is considered one of the earliest precursors to the electric vehicle. A Visionary Idea Stratingh's fascination with electricity led him to explore its potential for powering vehicles. Inspired by early electric motors, he collaborated with Becker to design a wooden cart equipped with a battery and a simple electric motor. This model demonstrated that electricity could propel a vehicle, a revolutionary concept at the time. How It Worked The cart, roughly the size of a toy car, featured four wheels and a lightweight wooden frame. Its battery powered a basic electric motor, which drove the wheels through a simple transmission. While the cart was a proof of concept rather than a practical vehicle, it showcased the potential of electric propulsion. Historical Significance Stratingh's creation predated modern electric vehicles by over a century. His work laid early groundwork for electric transportation, though limited battery technology and infrastructure at the time prevented further development. The cart remains a testament to his innovative spirit and foresight. Legacy at the University Museum The original model, preserved at the University Museum, attracts scholars and visitors interested in the history of technology. It stands as a symbol of Groningen’s contributions to scientific progress and a reminder of the visionary ideas that shaped modern innovation" url: "https://motorwatt.com/community/stream/item/3256" date: "2026-05-17T01:35:58+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- Loading cover... 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[9 months ago](https://motorwatt.com/community/stream/item/3256) Editing The world's first electric car. Stratingh's Electric Cart: A Pioneering Invention In 1835, Sibrandus Stratingh, a professor of chemistry and technology in Groningen, built a groundbreaking electric cart alongside his assistant Christopher Becker. This small-scale model, now displayed at the University Museum in Groningen, is considered one of the earliest precursors to the electric vehicle. A Visionary Idea Stratingh's fascination with electricity led him to explore its potential for powering vehicles. Inspired by early electric motors, he collaborated with Becker to design a wooden cart equipped with a battery and a simple electric motor. This model demonstrated that electricity could propel a vehicle, a revolutionary concept at the time. How It Worked The cart, roughly the size of a toy car, featured four wheels and a lightweight wooden frame. Its battery powered a basic electric motor, which drove the wheels through a simple transmission. While the cart was a proof of concept rather than a practical vehicle, it showcased the potential of electric propulsion. Historical Significance Stratingh's creation predated modern electric vehicles by over a century. His work laid early groundwork for electric transportation, though limited battery technology and infrastructure at the time prevented further development. The cart remains a testament to his innovative spirit and foresight. Legacy at the University Museum The original model, preserved at the University Museum, attracts scholars and visitors interested in the history of technology. It stands as a symbol of Groningen’s contributions to scientific progress and a reminder of the visionary ideas that shaped modern innovation [ **![images](https://motorwatt.com/media/COMMUNITY/photos/276/735/images_large.jpg)** ](https://motorwatt.com/community/community-pages/history-of-electric-vehicles/photos/735-images "images") 1 0 0 0 0 0 [ Sunshine EV Classic reacted to this ](https://motorwatt.com/javascript:void(0);) Comments (0) Post is under moderation Stream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream. Unable to load tooltip content.