Because the batteries sucked. They take too long to recharge, don't hold enough charge, are heavy, are bulky, and cost too much.
As ugly as a gas engine is it does offer quick refueling, long range, and low cost. It's just more practical, especially with turn of the century technology.
Yep. Fast charging is still an unsolved problem for electric cars (15 minutes for a 85 miles is not fast enough IMHO) although some electric scooters have swappable battery packs which do fit the bill.
I do fully expect we will have these problems licked before the next turn of the century.
Although Tesla abandoned the idea because of lack of interest (which I do find strange), a swapping station solves this problem. A depleted battery can be swapped for a fresh one in less time than a gasoline fillup requires.
Piston engines are quite simple and can be extremely reliable.
There is typically a trade-off between maintenance and replacement. Piston engines require on-going maintenance, but can last a really long time. Electric motors require almost no maintenance but need to be rebuilt/replaced more often.
The $1 gasoline is poured into a horrendously complex, noisy, brittle, contrived piece of technological megadebt.
Electricity goes to one motor per wheel it needs to drive. In 1912 and in 2018.