New York’s Electric Taxis in 1895

Electric cars may seem like a contemporary, eco-friendly concept, but did you know they made a brief appearance in 19th-century New York City? Back in 1895, hundreds of electric taxis called “Electrobats” cruised the streets of Midtown Manhattan. They had a charging station on Broadway and, unlike other vehicles, didn’t leave passengers covered in soot. People loved them! So what became of this set of eco-wonder wheels?