Taking charge

In Taking Charge, Michael Schiffer describes the history and future promise of electric cars in America. Charting the early trajectory of the electric automobile from 1895 to 1920, he argues that its failure had as much to do with money and gender as technological shortcomings. Detailing recent advances in batteries and recharging ability, as well as environmental mandates for cleaner alternatives to gasoline engines, he argues that the time has come for the electric automobile to be charged again. Taking Charge revisits the race between electric and gasoline-powered cars in all its aspects, including the little-known collaboration of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison on Ford's electric car. Looking to the future, Michael Schiffer suggests that for Americans it may be time for the fabled victory of the tortoise over the hare.