This 1918 Detroit Electric is equipped with contemporary batteries, and it functions properly.

      Mecum Auctions

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      Electric vehicles engage in some difficulties in a world designed around internal combustion, and it's not just the scarcity of public charging stations or the automotive industry’s resistance to change. EVs have been around nearly as long as the automobile itself, but unlike engines that can be rebuilt, century-old batteries pose significant limitations.

      The proprietor of the 1918 Detroit Electric Model 75B Brougham coupe—one of the items featured in Mecum’s 2026 Monterey Car Week auction—has addressed this issue by equipping it with modern batteries during a comprehensive restoration. The listing claims the restoration meets "concours standards," but given the strong emphasis on originality during evaluations, it's uncertain how this vehicle would perform on the concours circuit. Nonetheless, it is at least operational.

      The listing does not detail which modern batteries were utilized, but likely sources include decommissioned EVs and hybrids, as well as multiple companies that provide EV conversions for classic cars. An instance includes Jay Leno’s 1914 Detroit Electric, which is being upgraded with Nissan Leaf battery modules. Also unknown is how this conversion affects range and performance; the listing merely states that the 75B initially had a range of about 80 miles and a maximum speed of around 20 mph.

      The company that eventually became Detroit Electric was established in Detroit in 1884 as the Anderson Carriage Company. The owners recognized the shifting landscape and unveiled the first Detroit Electric vehicle in 1907. During a time when environmental concerns were minimal, electric cars were marketed as quieter and easier to operate compared to gasoline cars. With gas stations being rare, range anxiety was an issue for both gasoline and EV drivers. Additionally, the smell of gasoline was unfamiliar to many, and the use of hand cranks and manual lubrication made internal-combustion vehicles daunting for newcomers.

      In those less progressive times, the convenience of driving an EV without the need for a crank starter or manual maintenance also meant that these cars were heavily targeted towards women. Despite his involvement with a competing technology, Henry Ford, along with then-Packard president Henry Joy, both purchased Detroit Electrics for their wives. Misogynistic stereotypes may have also shaped certain design elements. The driver’s seat faces the passengers and is steered with a tiller, creating an interior ambiance more akin to a living room where affluent women of the time could host guests. Remarkably, this car was equipped with built-in flower vases, predating the Volkswagen New Beetle by 90 years.

      During its peak, Detroit Electric was among numerous EV brands, alongside others like Milburn and Baker. However, with larger companies such as Ford and General Motors focused on internal combustion, it was only a matter of time before electric vehicles fell out of favor. Detroit Electric continued operations until 1939, with a revival attempt in 2013 that tried to emulate Tesla’s success using a modified Lotus Elise, which ultimately did not materialize.