How Edwardian Fraudsters Pulled the Plug on the Electric Bus and Left Our Cities Gasping for Air

A Most Deliberate Swindle: How Edwardian Fraudsters Pulled the Plug on the Electric Bus and Left Our Cities Gasping for Breath

by Mick Hamer

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1571 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	240 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In the early years of the 20th century, as the automobile industry was taking off, a promising alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles emerged: the electric bus.

Electric buses offered a number of advantages over their gasoline-powered counterparts. They were cheaper to operate, produced no emissions, and were much quieter. In fact, several cities around the world were already operating successful electric bus systems by the 1910s.

But then, something strange happened. The electric bus industry suddenly collapsed, and gasoline-powered buses became the dominant mode of transportation.

What caused this sudden reversal of fortune? As it turns out, the electric bus industry was the victim of a massive fraud perpetrated by a group of unscrupulous Edwardian businessmen.

The fraudsters, who were led by a man named Albert Henry Stanley, used a variety of deceptive tactics to convince investors that electric buses were not a viable technology.

They spread rumors that electric buses were dangerous and unreliable. They paid off journalists to write negative articles about electric buses. And they even bribed city officials to prevent them from purchasing electric buses.

Stanley's fraud was so successful that it not only destroyed the electric bus industry but also set back the development of electric vehicles for decades.

It wasn't until the late 20th century that electric vehicles began to make a comeback. And even today, gasoline-powered vehicles remain the dominant mode of transportation in most cities around the world.

The story of the Edwardian electric bus fraud is a reminder of the power of deception and greed. It is also a cautionary tale about the importance of investing in clean energy technologies.

If the electric bus industry had not been sabotaged by fraud, our cities would be much cleaner and quieter today. And we would be much closer to achieving the goal of zero emissions transportation.

The Rise of the Electric Bus

The first electric buses were introduced in the late 19th century. These early buses were powered by lead-acid batteries and had a range of about 50 miles.

By the early 20th century, electric buses were becoming increasingly popular. In 1905, the first electric bus line opened in London. And by 1910, there were electric bus systems operating in cities around the world, including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Electric buses offered a number of advantages over gasoline-powered buses. They were cheaper to operate, produced no emissions, and were much quieter.

In fact, electric buses were so popular that many cities began to consider banning gasoline-powered buses from their streets.

The Edwardian Electric Bus Fraud

The electric bus industry was booming in the early 20th century. But then, something strange happened. The industry suddenly collapsed, and gasoline-powered buses became the dominant mode of transportation.

What caused this sudden reversal of fortune? As it turns out, the electric bus industry was the victim of a massive fraud perpetrated by a group of unscrupulous Edwardian businessmen.

The fraudsters, who were led by a man named Albert Henry Stanley, used a variety of deceptive tactics to convince investors that electric buses were not a viable technology.

They spread rumors that electric buses were dangerous and unreliable. They paid off journalists to write negative articles about electric buses. And they even bribed city officials to prevent them from purchasing electric buses.

Stanley's fraud was so successful that it not only destroyed the electric bus industry but also set back the development of electric vehicles for decades.

The Legacy of the Edwardian Electric Bus Fraud

The Edwardian electric bus fraud had a profound impact on the development of transportation in the 20th century.

If the electric bus industry had not been sabotaged by fraud, our cities would be much cleaner and quieter today. And we would be much closer to achieving the goal of zero emissions transportation.

The story of the Edwardian electric bus fraud is a reminder of the power of deception and greed. It is also a cautionary tale about the importance of investing in clean energy technologies.

A Most Deliberate Swindle: How Edwardian Fraudsters Pulled the Plug on the Electric Bus and Left Our Cities Gasping for Breath

by Mick Hamer

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1571 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	240 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE