1914 Detroit Electric Model 90

The Detroit Electric was the most popular and long-lived electric vehicle to be sold in the United States. During 32 years of operation - 1907 to 1939 - the company produced 13,290 vehicles.

The decline of the electric automobile began with the invention of the electric self-starter for the internal combustion automobile by Charles Kettering in 1914. This model, built in 1914, may not have been sold until 1920 since it carries a Model 90 serial plate, that model being offered in 1920.

The electric automobile was always popular with women, who appreciated its ease of operation and relative silence. The electrics were almost solely used in urban areas due to their limited range - approximately 60 miles.