<P> Electric vehicles first appeared in the mid-19th century . An electric vehicle held the vehicular land speed record until around 1900 . The high cost, low top speed, and short range of battery electric vehicles, compared to later internal combustion engine vehicles, led to a worldwide decline in their use; although electric vehicles have continued to be used in the form of electric trains and other niche uses . </P> <P> At the beginning of the 21st century, interest in electric and other alternative fuel vehicles has increased due to growing concern over the problems associated with hydrocarbon - fueled vehicles, including damage to the environment caused by their emissions, and the sustainability of the current hydrocarbon - based transportation infrastructure as well as improvements in electric vehicle technology . Since 2010, combined sales of all - electric cars and utility vans achieved 1 million units delivered globally in September 2016 . </P>

What were some problems with the first electric cars which car companies experimented with