The vehicle is driven by power, equipped with four or more wheels, not running on tracks, and primarily used for transporting people and goods or for towing vehicles carrying people and goods.
In 1712, a British inventor, Thomas Newcomen, created the steam engine, which marked a shift from human and animal power to mechanical power. This invention is known as the Newcomen steam engine.
In 1757, James Watt, a skilled craftsman with a background in carpentry, was hired as a laboratory technician at the University of Glasgow in Britain. He had the opportunity to work with the Newcomen steam engine, sparking his interest. In 1769, Watt collaborated with Bolton to invent a steam engine equipped with a condenser.
In November 1774, they created a significant steam engine. The steam engine played a crucial role in developing the industrial and societal aspects, laying the foundation for advancing steam turbines and internal combustion engines.
In 1769, Frenchman N.J. Cugnot manufactured the world's first steam-powered tricycle. This vehicle, named "Fardier à vapeur" (steam dray), had a length of 7.32 meters and a height of 2.2 meters and featured a large boiler resembling a pear on its frame. It had a front wheel diameter of 1.28 meters and a rear wheel diameter of 1.50 meters.
It controlled direction by the front wheel while moving at a speed of 3.5-3.9 km/h. Although Cugnot's invention failed, it marked a significant transition from ancient transportation (powered by humans, animals, or sails) to modern transportation (powered by mechanical engines), signifying a watershed moment.
By 1804, Trevithick designed and manufactured a steam car that could carry a load of 10 tons and travelled 15.7 km on a railway.
In 1825, Swadlincote's George Stephenson built a steam-powered public bus with 18 seats, achieving a 19 km/h speed and initiating the world's earliest public bus operation.
In 1831, the United States Stephenson Guler introduced a steam car into transportation, establishing regular transport services between Guest and Chertsey, spanning 15 km.
Subsequently, steam engines evolved into external power sources for railway vehicles and ships, leading to the search for lightweight power devices with high power-to-volume and power-to-weight ratios for automobiles.
The global new energy vehicle industry is rapidly developing, with new products and technologies being rapidly researched and applied. Technological innovation is driving the continuous upgrade of the industry. As a significant force leading the global automotive industry's transformation and upgrade, China actively participates in international cooperation in new energy vehicles, contributing to developing the new energy vehicle industry.
At the 2022 Paris International Motor Show, nearly a hundred companies showcased their latest products in the new energy vehicles, covering electrification, hydrogen fuel, vehicle technology, and intelligent mobility. Seizing new energy development opportunities has become the common choice of globally renowned car companies.
Analysts believe that the international community should continue to work together, accelerate the low-carbon transformation of the automotive industry, and build a more secure, stable, and mutually beneficial industrial ecosystem.
