December 13, 1905 – Hybrids evolve with Gas Shortage Fears
An early hybrid, this 1902 Porsche used a gas engine to generate electricity to power motors mounted on the front wheel hubs.
“The available supply of gasoline, as is well known, is quite limited, and it behooves the farseeing men of the motor car industry to look for likely substitutes,â€Â declared a 1905 article in the Horseless Age.
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The popular monthly journal, first published in 1895, described the earliest motor technologies, including the use of compressed air propulsion systems, electric cars, steam and diesel power – as well as hybrids.
About the same time as the first American auto show in 1900, engineer Ferdinand Porsche introduced his “Mixte†in Europe. This gas-electric hybrid used a four-cylinder gasoline engine to generate electricity. The engine powered two three-horsepower electric motors mounted on the front wheel hubs. It could achieve a top speed of 50 mph.
Link to AOGHS Article Here
Photo used is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 70 years or less.
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