Transportation » There was a time when electric vehicles rivaled gasoline-powered vehicles in number and performance. It was at the turn of the 20th century, when as many electric cars as thermal or steam cars were sold in the United States. It was the era of the pioneers, when an electric racing car, the Never-Contente, crossed the 100 km/h mark for the first time in the history of the automobile. But the combustion engine, offering more autonomy, got the better of electromobility, leaving it only a few niche markets. A century later, revenge has come. Today, in the face of energy and climate challenges, “it is part of the solution”, assures historian Jean-Luc Rickenbacher, director of public transport, navigation, energy and logistics projects at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne. Interview.
Switzerland became interested in electromobility very early on. Why?
Jean-Luc Rickenbacher: La
