12 most innovative and eccentric electric cars - Baker

Baker

History is littered with innovative carmakers who contributed much to the industry, but have long ago vanished. The Baker Motor Vehicle Company is one such brand. Founded in 1899, its history is intertwined with one of electricity’s pioneers, Thomas Edison. Edison owned a Baker, and even designed the batteries used in the car.

It’s thought that Baker produced around 800 cars in 1906, a claim that would’ve made it the largest producer of electric cars in the world. That’s despite a price tag of $1,600 – the equivalent of $41,000 today – although a semi-convertible landaulet version cost $4,000 ($102,000 today).

Baker merged with Detroit Electric in 1913 – a recently revived brand which you can read about on the next page.