The Electrifying History of Electric Vehicles in Toronto
While Tesla has gained fame for bringing electric vehicles (EVs) into the mainstream, the concept of electric cars is not a modern invention. Far from it—EVs have a history that stretches back nearly 200 years, even predating the introduction of gas-powered vehicles. In fact, during the time when gasoline cars were beginning to populate the streets, Toronto was already recognized as an important center for electric vehicle manufacturing.
Early Innovations and Developments
Between 1893 and 1913, several Canadian companies, along with one American firm, ventured into the electric vehicle market in the Greater Toronto Area. Among these, two companies continue to exist today, though their modern identities might not be readily recognizable.
During a time when gas engines were still considered novel and steam power posed usability challenges, electric vehicles emerged as the innovative solution. British engineer William Joseph Still played a pivotal role in this movement. His influence extended across the Atlantic as his patented batteries gained popularity in the 1890s, serving both domestic and international markets.
The Breakthrough Battery Design
In 1893, Still collaborated with Toronto patent attorney Frederick Barnard Fetherstonhaugh, presenting a groundbreaking lightweight battery prototype. The partnership was fruitful, as Fetherstonhaugh, a passionate inventor, recognized the potential of the new battery for use in electric cars. They worked with the Dixon Carriage Company, located at the intersection of Bay and Temperance Streets, to construct an electric vehicle.
The resulting car weighed approximately 320 kilograms and represented a significant technological achievement at the time, allowing for an hour of travel at speeds of up to 24 kilometers per hour. This was competitive, if not superior, to the speed of many early gas-powered cars.
A Long-Lasting Legacy
Fetherstonhaugh used this innovative vehicle as his everyday transportation for 15 years. He charged it at his residence in the Mimico area of southwest Toronto and showcased it at various Canadian National Exhibitions in 1893, 1896, and 1906. Unfortunately, the vehicle disappeared from the historical record after its last showing at the 1912 Toronto Auto Show.
In 1897, Still took his involvement further by founding the Canadian Motor Syndicate, primarily to manufacture and sell his automotive designs. The first vehicle to roll out of this new venture was an electric delivery tricycle, first displayed in the 1898 Canadian National Exhibition. By the end of the 1890s, Still had invented a more robust electric motor, marking a significant advancement for larger vehicles.
Formation of Still Motor Company Limited
The Canadian Motor Syndicate later restructured itself as Still Motor Company Limited (SMC), ramping up production and sales. Their factory on Yonge Street became a bustling hub of activity, buoyed by one of Toronto’s first commercial telephone lines.
Instead of building vehicles from the ground up, SMC typically modified existing commercial carriages to incorporate motor and battery technology. Early adopters like Parker’s Dye Works, which operates today as Parker’s Dry Cleaning, acquired several of these electric vehicles. By the turn of the century, many of Toronto’s largest industry players had at least one or two SMC vehicles as part of their fleets.
Challenges and Transition
SMC’s products were characterized by lightness, reasonable speed, and ease of handling. However, the customized nature of their manufacturing meant higher costs and lower profits. This situation led to financial challenges, prompting SMC to seek outside investment.
In late 1899, the company was acquired by a group of British investors and rebranded as Canadian Motors Limited (CML). During this period, Still had developed a series of successful electric passenger vehicles, including the Ivanhoe and Oxford models, which were then marketed for export to England. CML emerged as Canada’s first car exporter and the initial British-owned automotive company in the nation.
The Downfall of Canadian Motors Limited
Despite ambitious plans and several successful road trials in Britain, sales failed to materialize, resulting in the closure of CML on both sides of the Atlantic by 1904. Still transitioned to new opportunities, leaving behind a factory space that would soon find new ownership.
In 1903, Canadian Cycle & Motor Company acquired the CML factory space and adapted it to produce electric vehicles under the American name Ivanhoe. However, these cars struggled in the market, prompting the company to pivot towards gasoline-powered vehicles in 1905. A side business producing hockey equipment under the “CCM” brand would later prosper.
The Rise of Competitors
Competition emerged in the form of the Fischer Equipment Company from Chicago, which demonstrated the dual-engine Woods Electric cars and trucks in Toronto in 1898. The demonstrated success prompted the Woods Motor Vehicle Company to establish itself, driven by a board largely comprised of Canadian professionals. Plans were made to produce Woods cars at the General Electric plant in Hamilton, intending to offer a network of electric taxis throughout Toronto.
However, in 1901, Woods shifted production to the U.S., and their electric vehicles continued to be manufactured there until 1918.
Emergence of Luxury Electric Cars
The demand for electric vehicles persisted in Canada. In 1911, Oshawa’s McLaughlin Motorcar Company began to market luxurious electric vehicles based on the American Rauch & Lang chassis throughout southern Ontario. Plans were announced to begin production in 1912; however, it remains unclear if these initiatives came to fruition. McLaughlin eventually evolved into General Motors Canada, yet did not attempt a second foray into electric vehicle manufacturing in Oshawa.
Another local player was the Peck electric, developed on Jarvis Street and showcased as “the car that keeps Pecking” at the 1912 Auto Show. Although it featured plush interiors and user-friendly controls, its prohibitive price of $4,000—equivalent to more than $109,000 today—was a significant obstacle, ultimately leading to the company’s closure in 1913.
The Modern Electric Vehicle Revolution
It took nearly a century and substantial technological advancements for electric vehicles to re-emerge in Toronto’s automotive landscape. However, every electric vehicle currently traversing our roads can trace its lineage back over a hundred years to an era characterized by innovative designs and pioneering spirits.
The journey of electric cars in Toronto exemplifies a rich history that is often overshadowed by present-day narratives but is undeniably crucial to understanding the evolution of transportation technology.
