Detroit Electric automobile, Washington State, USA, 1919. The Detroit Electric (1907-1939) was a brand of automobile produced by the Anderson Electric Car company in Detroit, Michigan. Powered by a rechargeable lead acid battery it was advertised as reliably getting 80 miles (130 kilometres) on a fully-charged battery with a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h). Modern day electric cars such as the G-Wiz have grown in popularity because of rising fuel prices and concerns over global warming. Although they can go faster with a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h), they need to be charged more frequently, every 50 miles (80 kilometres) or so.