Which electric car became the first vehicle to exceed 100 km/h, in 1899?

La Jamais Contente became the first vehicle to exceed 100 km/h in 1899.

Belgian racing driver Camille Jenatzy drove the streamlined electric car near Achères, France, on 29 April 1899. Its recorded speed was about 105.88 km/h, or 65.79 mph. The name means “The Never Satisfied” in French and reflected Jenatzy’s competitive personality.

La Jamais Contente used two electric motors supplied by batteries, with a combined output commonly reported at about 68 horsepower. Its torpedo-like body was built from lightweight alloy, an unusual choice at the time. The car’s achievement demonstrated that electric propulsion could deliver extraordinary short-distance speed, even though battery range remained limited.

The record was not a modern standing-start speed-test record in the usual sense. It was a land-speed achievement on a measured course, and later petrol-powered cars quickly raised the benchmark. La Jamais Contente remains important because it was the first automobile to pass the symbolic 100-km/h barrier.