Although working as a watchmaker, Gustave Trouvé was known through his workshop established in 1865 in the center of Paris. There, he developed several inventions, finding applications in the field of electricity in particular. In 1881 he improved a small electric motor developed by Siemens with a Starley accumulator. He installed this engine on an English tricycle: he has just invented the first electric vehicle in history.
On April 19, 1881, in the rue de Valois (Paris), the tricycle of Trouvé moved successfully. However, the first ideas are not always those which become mainstream. Gustave Trouvé does not manage to patent his idea, and finally left it aside to dedicate himself to marine propulsion.
