Overview

The EVBox Blog has categorised the history of electric cars into six notable eras:

• 1830-1880: The initial trailblazers of electric mobility

• 1880-1914: The shift towards motorised transportation

• 1914-1970: The ascent of the internal combustion engine

• 1970-2003: The resurgence of electric vehicles

• 2003-2020: The era of the electric revolution

• 2021-Present day: The turning point and what lies ahead

The history of electric vehicles (EVs) dates back to the early 19th century, preceding the advent of gasoline-powered cars. Experimental prototypes emerged in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the UK during the 1830s, establishing EVs as the pioneers of automotive technology. The first practical EV, attributed to American inventor William Morrison, came into existence around 1890, setting the stage for further advancements in the field.

However, it was in the late 20th century, driven by the 1973 Oil Crisis and mounting environmental concerns, that modern EVs began to take shape. The 2000s witnessed a resurgence in the development of hybrid vehicles, with notable milestones such as the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997. This momentum led to a significant breakthrough in 2010 with the launch of the Nissan Leaf—the first mass-market EV.

In recent years, the market for electric vehicles has experienced remarkable growth and is projected to continue expanding rapidly in the next decade. Valued at $163.01 billion in 2020, the global electric vehicle market is expected to reach $823.75 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.2% from 2021 to 2030, according to Allied Market Research. The surge in demand for fuel-efficient, high-performance, and low-emission vehicles, coupled with stringent government regulations on vehicle emissions and the decreasing cost of electric vehicle batteries, are key factors driving the growth of this market. However, challenges such as the lack of charging infrastructure, high manufacturing costs, range anxiety, and serviceability issues are expected to impede the market’s progress. On the positive side, technological advancements, proactive government initiatives, and the development of self-driving electric vehicle technology are anticipated to create ample opportunities for industry players in the electric vehicle market.

The upswing in electric car registrations has intensified the production of automotive lithium-ion batteries. In 2022, there was a significant spike of 65% in EV battery demand compared to the previous year, driven by the continued growth of EV sales across all markets, especially in China.

This substantial increase in battery demand can be attributed to the escalating sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which necessitate larger-sized batteries in contrast to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

China remains at the forefront of battery production, particularly in heavy-duty battery manufacturing. However, Europe is also making remarkable progress. According to BloombergNEF, Europe’s share of global battery production is projected to rise to 31% by 2030, signifying a promising future for the region’s battery market.

Namepicks

Tesla

Tesla sits proudly atop our list of name picks, as it would be remiss to overlook the fact that the company has emerged as a true game-changer in the electric car industry. With their innovative approach and groundbreaking technologies, Tesla has elevated the realm of electric vehicles to an unprecedented level of excitement and anticipation. The brand’s impact and influence cannot be ignored, making Tesla a name that symbolises progress, innovation, and the future of transportation.

Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Tesla primarily focuses on designing, producing, and selling electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy solutions, and energy storage products.

The company gained significant attention with the release of its groundbreaking electric sports car, the Tesla Roadster, in 2008. Since then, it has expanded its vehicle lineup to include the Tesla Model S (a luxury sedan), the Tesla Model X (an SUV), the Tesla Model 3 (a more affordable sedan), and the Tesla Model Y (a compact SUV). Tesla vehicles are known for their cutting-edge technology, long-range capabilities, and impressive acceleration.

Tesla has also made substantial contributions to advancing autonomous driving technology through its Autopilot system, which offers features such as lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, and self-parking capabilities. The company continues to innovate in this field with its ongoing development of Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities.

In addition to its electric vehicles, Tesla is involved in producing and installing solar energy systems for residential and commercial use. The company’s energy storage products, such as the Powerwall and Powerpack, provide solutions for storing renewable energy and managing electricity consumption.

When the company’s founders brainstormed ideas for a name, they wanted something that reflected their mission of revolutionising the automotive industry with electric vehicles. They felt that Nikola Tesla’s name embodied innovation, a pioneering spirit, and a focus on electricity, which aligned perfectly with their goals.

Hence, they chose the name “Tesla” as a tribute to Nikola Tesla, symbolising their commitment to pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology and advancing sustainable transportation. By adopting his name, they aimed to honour Tesla’s legacy while creating a brand that represented the cutting-edge nature of their products.

Brand is just a perception, and perception will match reality over time. Sometimes it will be ahead, other times it will be behind. But brand is simply a collective impression some have about a product.Brand is just a perception, and perception will match reality over time. Sometimes it will be ahead, other times it will be behind. But brand is simply a collective impression some have about a product.

Elon Musk

Interesting fact

Although Tesla gained prominence in the automotive industry, the company has extended its focus beyond cars and has ventured into various clean energy products that go beyond its flagship car range. Initially operating on TeslaMotors.com, a significant shift occurred in 2016 when Elon Musk introduced a new energy product: the solar roof tile. During this time, Tesla made a significant acquisition—the highly valuable and exact brand match domain Tesla.com—for a reported $11 million, as confirmed by Musk in a tweet.

Buying Tesla.com took over a decade, $11M & amazing amount of effort. Didn’t like TeslaMotors.com even when we were only making cars.

Elon Musk

The decision to drop the “Motors” from Tesla’s domain name represented a substantial investment, but it provided the company with the freedom to pursue its ambitious plans for diversification. This strategic move enabled Tesla to expand its horizons and forge ahead with its vision of advancing clean energy solutions beyond the realm of traditional automobiles.

Rivian

Rivian traces its roots back to 2009 when Robert “RJ” Scaringe established it under the name Mainstream Motors. Over time, the company underwent a series of name changes, including Avera Automotive and Avera Motors, before settling on Rivian Automotive in 2011. The name “Rivian” pays homage to the Indian River in Florida, where Scaringe spent his formative years.

Following its rebranding as Rivian Automotive, the company shifted its focus towards developing autonomous and electric vehicles reflecting Rivian’s commitment to pioneering cutting-edge technologies in the automotive industry. Rivian aimed to offer its customers innovative and sustainable mobility solutions by embracing electric propulsion and autonomous driving capabilities.

In February 2019, Amazon invested $700 million in Rivian, taking a minority stake in the automaker.

Interesting fact

Robert “RJ” Scaringe’s connection and fond memories significantly shaped the company’s name “, Rivian”. The brand name is a heartfelt tribute to the Indian River in Florida that held great significance during Scaringe’s formative years. It also evokes imagery and symbolism associated with rivers, often symbolising progression, vitality, and the exploration of new frontiers. It also captures the essence of the company’s vision—to navigate uncharted waters and spearhead a transformative shift towards sustainable and thrilling mobility. It embodies the company’s commitment to forging a path towards a future where innovative transportation solutions meet environmental consciousness and exhilarating experiences on the road.

The key to building a new company, and for that matter, establishing your brand, is that you have to have something that gets people excited. It has to foundationally reset expectations…

Robert “RJ” Scaringe for Outdoorjournal

Investing in the exact brand match domain name Rivian.com showcases the company’s dedication to establishing a robust online presence while ensuring a seamless and unified digital experience for its audience.

Zoox

Zoox was established in 2014 by Tim Kentley-Klay, an Australian artist-designer, and Jesse Levinson,, son of Apple Inc. chairman Arthur D. Levinson. The company is dedicated to developing a new autonomous vehicle designed for the robo-taxi market. Zoox’s approach revolves around the idea that retrofitting existing vehicles for autonomy is not optimal. To address this, they have combined advancements in automotive, robotics, and renewable energy to create a symmetrical, bi-directional battery-electric vehicle that tackles the unique challenges of autonomous mobility.

In a significant development, on June 26, 2020, Amazon and Zoox finalised a merger agreement, resulting in Amazon acquiring Zoox as a wholly-owned subsidiary for a value exceeding $1.2 billion. This collaboration solidifies Zoox’s position and allows further growth and innovation.

Interesting fact

“Zoox” refers to Zooxanthellae, a marine organism that, like the Zoox robo-taxi, depends on renewable energy and can maintain a symbiotic relationship with organisms in its surrounding habitat.

An exact brand match domain name like Zoox.com reinforces the company’s brand identity and maintains consistency across various online platforms, making it easier for customers and users to recognise and remember the brand.

Cupra

Cupra Racing, formerly recognised as SEAT Sport, serves as the high-performance motorsport division of the renowned Spanish automobile manufacturer SEAT. Established in 1985, Cupra Racing succeeded the “SEAT Special Vehicles department”, which originated in 1971 with the primary objective of ensuring the brand’s active involvement in rally championships. This endeavour proved fruitful, resulting in the acquisition of 11 titles between 1979 and 1983. Cupra Racing has participated in various motorsport disciplines, including rallying and touring car racing, while also specialising in developing high-performance variants of SEAT’s road cars.

In 2018 SEAT created the Cupra brand as its independent high-performance branch, and SEAT Sport was officially replaced by Cupra Racing.

Interesting fact

CUPRA blends the words ‘Cup Racing,’ representing the brand’s rich history in rally driving. The iconic 1996 SEAT Ibiza GTI Cupra Sport 16v marked the debut of the CUPRA badge on a road car, signifying the beginning of the famous high-performance range cherished by enthusiasts today.

Cupra operates on the Cupraofficial.com domain name, although Seat, the parent company of Cupra, owns the exact brand match domain name Cupra.com, along with an extensive portfolio of over a hundred other domain names. Well-established and renowned brands frequently invest in domain name portfolios, providing them with versatility and flexibility. This strategic approach allows for the expansion into new product lines or subbrands while also serving as a lucrative investment. Premium domains have proven to be valuable assets, offering long-term benefits and potential returns on investment.

Venturi

Venturi, an automotive manufacturer based in Monaco, was established in 1984 under the name MVS (Manufacture de Voitures de Sport) by French engineers Claude Poiraud and Gérard Godfroy. Venturi operated under this name for almost sixteen years before facing financial challenges and ultimately declaring bankruptcy in 2000. The company found new ownership in the same year when Monegasque entrepreneur Gildo Pallanca Pastor purchased it. Under Pallanca Pastor’s leadership, Venturi underwent a strategic shift in focus, dedicating its efforts to the development and production of electric-powered motors. In December 2009, Venturi announced its acquisition of French motorcycle manufacturer Voxan, allowing the firm to enter the motorcycle market.

Interesting fact

The precise origins of the company and brand name “Venturi” and the prototype model name “Ventury” remain uncertain, but they bear a resemblance to the English term “venture” and the fluid mechanics concept known as the “Venturi effect.” It is believed that Hervé Boulan, in an effort to create a European-style name, modified the original “Ventury” to “Venturi” as the former bore similarities to the English word “century.”

Venturi’s choice to operate on the exact brand match domain name Venturi.com enhances the accessibility and visibility of the brand, making it effortless for customers to discover and engage with the company’s offerings. 

Highlights

All 50 companies operate on the .com extension, signifying a strong preference for this widely recognised and established top-level domain.

35 entries have chosen to operate on exact brand match domain names, reinforcing brand identity, increasing brand recall, and establishing a cohesive online presence. 6 companies have included dashes in their domain names.

Using Hypensin domain names is generally not recommended as it can make them more challenging to remember and type accurately

Electric cars 2023

While we make every effort to ensure the data on our site is accurate, complete, and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee its reliability. Our data is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, or other advice. We strongly recommend that you independently verify any information before relying on it.

Other resources

• Top 100 Most Inspiring Brands 2022 by Wunderman Thompson and Their Domain Name Choices
• The Trends and Best Practices Around Naming a Brand: Interview with Mark Gunnion
• Personal Names as Brand Names
• The Importance of Investing in a Strong Domain Name for Your Business

A premium domain name is a powerful tool for businesses looking to establish a strong and professional online presence. If you’re ready to upgrade your brand and boost your online presence, contact us for more information on our premium domain name options and how they can help your business succeed.

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