Electric vehicles may seem like a modern invention, but the technology dates back more than a century. A striking example is a 1918 Detroit Electric Model 75B Brougham coupe, which is set to appear at Mecum’s 2026 Monterey Car Week auction.
The vintage EV has received a full restoration to what the listing describes as “concours standards.” More remarkably, it has been fitted with modern batteries, giving the century-old electric car a chance to remain operational in the modern era.
The listing does not identify the batteries used in the restoration, but modern EV and hybrid battery packs are an obvious source. Vintage EV conversions have also become increasingly common. Jay Leno, for example, has a 1914 Detroit Electric that is being converted to use battery modules from a Nissan Leaf.
When new, the 1918 Detroit Electric Model 75B reportedly offered approximately 80 miles of range and a top speed of around 20 mph. It remains unclear how the modern battery installation has affected those figures.
Detroit Electric Was an Early EV Pioneer
The company behind Detroit Electric began in Detroit in 1884 as the Anderson Carriage Company. In 1907, it introduced its first electric automobile, entering a market where EVs competed directly with gasoline-powered cars.
Electric vehicles offered several advantages at the time. They were quieter and easier to operate than gasoline cars, while the limited availability of gas stations meant gasoline-powered vehicles also faced their own version of range anxiety.
Starting a gasoline car could require considerable physical effort, while early automobiles also demanded manual lubrication and other maintenance. Electric cars avoided many of those inconveniences, making them particularly attractive to customers who wanted a simpler driving experience.
Detroit Electrics were consequently marketed heavily toward women. Henry Ford and former Packard president Henry Joy reportedly owned Detroit Electrics for their wives, despite their personal involvement with gasoline-powered automobiles.
The cars were designed with comfort and social use in mind. The driver sat facing the passengers and controlled the vehicle with a tiller, creating an interior that resembled a small living room. Some models even featured built-in flower vases.
Why Electric Cars Lost the Early Automotive Race
Detroit Electric was not alone in producing EVs. Companies such as Milburn and Baker also built electric automobiles during the early years of the industry.
Ultimately, however, gasoline-powered vehicles gained the upper hand. Ford and General Motors committed heavily to internal-combustion technology, while improvements in gasoline infrastructure and vehicle technology weakened many of the advantages electric cars had enjoyed.
Detroit Electric continued operating until 1939, long after gasoline cars had become dominant.
A revival attempt came in 2013, when the brand returned with a modified Lotus Elise-based electric sports car. The project failed to achieve lasting production, leaving the original Detroit Electric vehicles as reminders of how early the electric-car story actually began.
A Century Later, EV History Is Coming Full Circle
The restored 1918 Detroit Electric highlights an interesting contrast with today’s automotive industry. Modern EV manufacturers are racing to improve battery technology, software and range, while this century-old electric car is being kept alive through the use of technology that its original designers could never have imagined.
At the same time, the modern automotive market is undergoing another major transformation. German manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen are struggling to compete in China, where domestic EV makers are developing software-heavy vehicles at a much faster pace.
Chinese manufacturers are increasingly treating vehicles more like consumer electronics, with rapid product updates, advanced connectivity and artificial-intelligence features becoming major selling points. The contrast with the traditional four-year development cycles of established automakers illustrates how dramatically the industry has changed.
For Detroit Electric, the original challenge was competing against the rise of gasoline power. More than 100 years later, the industry’s challenge has reversed: established automakers must now adapt to an electric and software-driven era that is evolving faster than ever.
