The journey from a road littered with horse apples to futuristic high voltage charging stations on the roadside makes for quite an interesting story. An argument could easily be made that this fascinating story begins with a rather unique environmental crisis.
At the tail end of the 19th century, urban America was facing a disaster of almost Biblical proportions. It wasn’t pending economic collapse, political scandal, or even war. No, this calamity came in the form of manure—literal tons of it.
Dubbed the “Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894,” cities like New York and London were choking on horse-drawn transportation. By some estimates, New York’s 100,000 horses were dropping more than 2.5 million pounds of waste per day!
Ironically many visionaries such as Ransom E. Olds saw automobiles as the solution for the pollution. Many of the earliest innovators believed that deliverance from the tsunami of manure would come by harnessing the power of electricity.
As discussed in the June 29, 2025 episode of Coffee With Jim, the weekly podcast from Jim Hinckley’s America on Podbean, available now at www.jimhinckley.podbean.com/e/coffee-with-jim-june-29-2025, Tosha O’Neil of the Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation joined us to talk about the long-forgotten origins—and exciting future—of electric vehicles (EVs). And she also provided updates on plans to establish an EV museum and educational center along Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona.
The Electric Dream: A Century Before Elon
Well before automobiles manufactured by Tesla became a common sight, electric vehicles were quietly humming along city streets. By 1899, electric taxis were operating in New York City. They were clean, relatively efficient, and presented an appealing alternative to noisy, smelly gasoline engines and temperamental steamers.
Even more remarkable, electric buses were already transporting passengers in London and New York City before 1900. At the dawn of the 20th century, the majority of automobiles on American roads were electric. Yes, you read that right. The idea that EVs are a modern solution to a modern problem? That, my friends, is just historical amnesia.
Charging Toward the Future… and the Past
Fast forward to today, and electric vehicles are back in the spotlight. Battery and infrastructure technology issues that prevented early EVs from succesfully competing with gasoline powered vehicles has largely been resolved. But the road to adoption in the 21st century hasn’t been smooth. In general, people don’t embrace change.
On our podcast, Tosha O’Neil shared how the Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation (HEVF) is preserving this rich history through the world’s largest collection of vintage electric vehicles. From early Detroit Electric models to rare prototypes and modern innovations, the foundation’s work helps put the EV revolution into historical context.
At this juncture I should make it quite clear that when it comes to technology, my comfort zone is the years between introduction of the Model A Ford and the Chryler Airflow. But we must not fear change. As with all technological advancements the EV is a bad news/good news story.
And don’t forget, by studying the past, we better understand the present—and maybe even catch a glimpse of the road ahead.
A Global Race America Might Be Losing
While America wrestles with fragmented charging infrastructure, red tape, and an obsession with using the rear view mirror as a planning tool, other nations are racing ahead toward an electrifying future.
According to Ford CEO Jim Farley, the Chinese EV industry is evolving at an “absolutely stunning” pace. During a recent visit to China, Farley called their progress “the most humbling thing I’ve ever seen in my career.”
Chinese automakers have slashed EV development costs, built extensive nationwide charging infrastructure, and now export sleek, affordable EVs worldwide. And according to recent studies, the country now generates nearly 40% of its energy from renewable sources.
Europe isn’t far behind. Norway leads the globe. Last year new EVs outsold gasoline powered cars. Germany and the Netherlands continue to make substantial investments in fast-charging networks and incentives.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., regulatory inconsistency and political game playing threaten to put the brakes on American innovation when it comes to EV innovation.
What’s Holding the U.S. Back?
Let’s break it down like a dusty road map in a glovebox:
- Lack of charging infrastructure, especially in rural areas.
- Permitting bottlenecks that delay EV station construction.
- Fragmented policies that vary wildly between states.
- Supply chain issues and a sluggish transition among American consumers.
If America wants to remain competitive—and keep the spirit of innovation that put us on the moon—we’ve got to re-energize both policy and infrastructure. That means supporting local efforts too, especially along historic routes like the Mother Road.
Route 66 and the Revival of the Electric Highway
Here at Jim Hinckley’s America, we’ve covered EV developments on our blog and in episodes of Coffee With Jim. We’ve seen firsthand how small towns and roadside attractions could benefit from EV tourism—but only if the infrastructure is there to greet weary travelers.
Imagine pulling into a historic neon-lit motor court, plugging in your car, and strolling through a revitalized downtown where the past meets the future. That’s not a pipe dream. That’s a vision worth investing in.
Tune In: A Journey Through Time With Tosha O’Neil
If this topic piques your imagination, don’t miss the June 29, 2025 episode of Coffee With Jim featuring Tosha O’Neil of the Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation. We cover:
- The untold story of pre-Model T EVs
- How early electric taxis shaped urban life
- Challenges to modern EV adoption
- International competition—and what we can learn from it
- How HEVF is preserving and promoting EV history
- THe EV museum and related developments
👉 Listen now: www.jimhinckley.podbean.com/e/coffee-with-jim-june-29-2025
Final Thought: The Future is Electric—Again
Electric vehicles aren’t just a modern fad. They’re part of a deep and winding American story of innovation. From solving the manure crisis of the 1890s to powering a cleaner, more connected world in the 21st century, EVs remind us that the solutions of tomorrow may be buried in the lessons of yesterday.
So let’s keep the spark alive—preserve the past, power the present, and pave the road for future travelers.
Stay curious, stay inspired, and as we say at Jim Hinckley’s America: We’re sharing America’s stroy and telling folks where to go… and sometimes, how to get there.
Thank you. Shared adventures are the best adventures.