Electric Automobile Charging Stations in New York City and Vicinity
The New York Edison Company – January, 1923
The use of electric vehicles has come a long way since 1923, when The New York Edison Company published “Electric Automobile Charging Stations in New York City and Vicinity.” This map and guidebook served as a valuable resource for tourists looking to make the most of their electric vehicles by highlighting charging stations between major cities.
Of course this was long before the advent of smartphone apps and on-board screens to find EV charging stations. This booklet serves as a reminder that the need for reliable charging infrastructure for electric vehicles existed even before the technology we have today.
One of the most striking things about this booklet is the distinction made between public and private charging stations. Public garages were seen as the go-to option for reliable charging, while private garages were listed only to be used in an emergency. This highlights the infancy of the electric vehicle industry at the time and the fact that the infrastructure for charging was not yet fully developed.
It’s interesting also that the booklet promotes electric vehicle travel between cities such as Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Buffalo, suggesting that the technology was already advanced enough for long distance travel. This is in contrast to the perception that early electric vehicles had limited range and were only suitable for short commutes within cities.
Today, with the increased focus on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, electric vehicles have become more mainstream. The number of charging stations has greatly increased, and technology has advanced to the point where electric vehicles can travel much further on a single charge. However, the need for reliable charging infrastructure remains just as important as it was in 1923.
Overall, “Electric Automobile Charging Stations in New York City and Vicinity” serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come in terms of electric vehicle technology and infrastructure, and how important it is to continue investing in this area for the future. It also serves as a historical reminder that electric vehicles have been around for over a century, and the need for reliable charging infrastructure existed even before the technology we have today.
A great find! Everyone thinks that EVs are new when they were 50% of owned autos at that time. Edison had its own Microgrid providing lighting to subscribers.