Dr. Jennie Gray Wildman, co-founder of the Toronto Women’s College Hospital, in her Woods electric in 1903.Supplied
The Origins of Electric Vehicles
While Tesla is often lauded for bringing electric vehicles (EVs) into mainstream consciousness, the concept of electric transportation isn’t new. The foundation for electric vehicles dates back nearly 200 years, well before the emergence of gasoline-powered cars. In fact, during the time when gas vehicles were first being introduced in cities like Toronto, the area was already emerging as a center for electric vehicle manufacturing.
From 1893 to 1913, a combination of Canadian and American companies explored the development of electric cars in the Greater Toronto Area. Despite only a few companies enduring through the decades, the pioneering efforts made by these early ventures laid the complex groundwork for modern electric mobility.
Electric Vehicles in Early Toronto
In the late 19th century, as gasoline engines were relatively new and steam power proved impractical for vehicles, electric cars emerged as the next significant innovation. British engineer William Joseph Still, known for his work in steam and electrical technologies, capitalized on the growing interest in electric transportation. His patented batteries were in high demand in both Europe and North America by the 1890s.
In 1893, Still collaborated with Toronto patent lawyer Frederick Barnard Fetherstonhaugh to create a more efficient lightweight battery. Their joint efforts with the Dixon Carriage Company resulted in the development of a groundbreaking electric car. This innovation, weighing just 320 kilograms, boasted a notable driving speed of 24 kilometers per hour for approximately an hour, which was competitive compared to contemporary passenger vehicles.
A Legacy of Innovation
Fetherstonhaugh used this electric car as his primary mode of transport for 15 years, showcasing it at exhibitions such as the Canadian National Exhibition in the years 1893, 1896, and 1906. However, the vehicle’s history mysteriously ends in 1912 after it was featured at the Toronto Auto Show.
Still ventured further into electric vehicle development by forming the Canadian Motor Syndicate in 1897 to manufacture and distribute his car designs. His inaugural vehicle was an electric delivery tricycle, which made its debut at the 1898 Canadian National Exhibition. By 1899, he had designed a more efficient electric motor suitable for larger vehicles, allowing for increased production and popularity among businesses.
Establishment of the Still Motor Company
With growth on the horizon, the Canadian Motor Syndicate evolved, becoming the Still Motor Company Limited (SMC), and commenced serious production of vehicles. Their facility on Yonge Street became bustling with activity, driven in part by one of Toronto’s first commercial telephone lines, connecting the factory to potential clients and partners.
Interestingly, SMC often did not manufacture complete vehicles. Instead, clients provided commercial carriages, which SMC retrofitted with electric motors, resulting in custom vehicles that met varying industrial needs. Many businesses in Toronto, including Parker’s Dye Works, adopted these innovations, integrating electric vehicles into their operations by 1900.
Despite the appeal of SMC’s lightweight and fast vehicles, customization drove production costs high, limiting profitability and complicating their market position.
Canadian Motors Limited and Expansion Efforts
In a bid to stabilize and expand, SMC underwent a merger with investors from Britain, eventually rebranding as Canadian Motors Limited (CML). In 1899, Still’s electric passenger cars—the Ivanhoes and Oxfords—received attention, positioning CML to become Canada’s first car exporter to England.
However, while CML’s vehicles obtained positive responses during trials on British roads, this did not translate into anticipated sales. By 1904, the company ceased operations, with Still moving on to other ventures. Nevertheless, the Toronto factory did not remain idle for long; it was acquired in 1903 by Canadian Cycle & Motor Company, which shifted the focus from electric vehicles to gasoline-powered cars and eventually diversified into other products like hockey equipment under the CCM brand, which continues to thrive today.
Rivalry in Electric Vehicle Production
CML faced competition from the Woods Motor Vehicle Company, which emerged in part from the Fischer Equipment Company of Chicago. This company made a significant impression by demonstrating its twin-engine Woods Electric cars and trucks in Toronto in 1898, garnering substantial public interest. Woods Motor Vehicle Company showcased a strong Canadian leadership board and aimed to establish an electric taxi network in Toronto, utilizing the General Electric plant in Hamilton for manufacturing.
Unfortunately, Woods shifted its focus to the U.S. market in 1901, continuing to produce electric vehicles there until 1918. By 1911, prominent Canadian companies began to re-enter the electric vehicle market, exemplified by the luxury electric cars introduced by the McLaughlin Motorcar Company, relying on the American Rauch & Lang chassis. Although plans for local production emerged, the timeline for realization remained uncertain.
End of an Era and New Beginnings
Local efforts extended beyond large manufacturers; the Peck Electric, marketed as “Keeps Pecking” at the 1912 Auto Show, aimed at affluent buyers. However, its exorbitant price of $4,000—equivalent to over $109,000 today—proved to be its undoing, leading to its closure in 1913.
The evolution of electric vehicles led to a prolonged hiatus in Toronto’s automotive landscape, lasting nearly a century. This break from electric innovation would eventually change with advances in technology. Presently, every electric vehicle gracing the streets of Toronto can trace its lineage back to these early developments, signifying an enduring legacy of ingenuity that began over a century ago, when electric and steam vehicles first took to the roads.
A Journey Through Automotive History
The journey of electric vehicles in Canada highlights a rich yet often overlooked chapter of automotive history. The remarkable individuals and companies that ventured into electric transportation established a foundation that today’s electric car manufacturers build upon. The advancements in technology, societal changes, and consumer demands reshaped the automotive landscape throughout the years. As electric vehicles continue to gain traction in modern society, the legacy of early innovators serves as a reminder of the profound impact such developments can have on future generations.
