Electric Tramways of the 19th Century

Today, electric railways have wide diffusion and promise to expand much more in the coming years due to climate change issues and decarbonization policies. Metropolitan areas are serviced by underground, surface, and elevated electric trains that provide fast high-capacity passenger transport with zero emission. Electric motors powered by hydrogen and fuel cells are replacing diesel engines in trains for regional transportation in some European countries. High-speed electric trains are poised to emerge as strong competitors to short- and midrange air connection. In this framework, it is worth considering when and how electric railways emerged.