But electric driving is not only the technology of the future; it also has a long history. The first electric cars were manufactured here in Europe already in the 19th century. Yet, up untilrecent years, most people failed to recognise the tremendous advantages electric cars held, notably for our environment, climate, and even for our comfort and ease of driving. But you,at EVS, have been holding this event for almost 50 years, well before the topic became so popular.