Automotive history is full of turning points, but few events have had as much impact on the industry as the introduction of the world's first hybrid car. Many people mistakenly believe that hybrids are a product of the late 20th century, but their roots go back to the very beginning of the era of internal combustion engines. It was then, at the dawn of the automotive industry, that engineers were looking for ways to combine the advantages of different energy sources.
At the end of the 19th century, the world was swept by “electric fever”, and electric cars were considered more promising than their noisy and vibrating gasoline counterparts. However, the limited battery range required the search for alternative solutions. The answer was the creation of a power plant combining an internal combustion engine and electric propulsion. This invention not only solved the problem of autonomy, but also laid the foundation for modern technologies.
In this article we will look in detail at how exactly the first hybrid was designed, who was behind its creation, and why this technology did not immediately become widespread. Understanding these processes is essential to understanding where the automotive industry is heading today. Technological breakthrough of that time remains relevant today.
Who created the first hybrid: Ferdinand Porsche and Lohner-Porsche
Ferdinand Porsche is considered the officially recognized creator of the world's first hybrid car. In 1900, while working for an Austrian company Lohner-Werke, he introduced the public to revolutionary transportation. This car was named Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid. Surprisingly, Porsche himself was only a 25-year-old engineer when he succeeded in realizing a concept that was a century ahead of its time.
The main idea was to eliminate the heavy and complex transmission. Instead of a mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels, Porsche decided to use electric motors, built directly into the wheel hubs. This made it possible to transmit torque without losses characteristic of driveshafts and gearboxes of that time.
The gasoline engine in this scheme served as a generator. It did not rotate the wheels directly, but generated electricity that powered electric motors or charged the battery. This arrangement, known today as a series hybrid circuit, was a true engineering marvel of the early 20th century.
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse Porsche's first hybrid with earlier experiments. It was the Lohner-Porsche of 1900 that had a working sequential circuit, where the internal combustion engine served exclusively as a generator.
Technical characteristics of Lohner-Porsche 1900
The technical equipment of the first hybrid is amazing even by modern standards. The car was equipped with a gasoline internal combustion engine from the company Daimler. It was a 5.3-liter two-cylinder unit that operated at optimal speeds to generate electricity. Its power was about 7 horsepower, which was quite enough for a generator.
The electrical part included two electric motors located in the front wheels. Each engine developed a power of about 2.5 horsepower. The total power of the system made it possible to reach speeds of up to 50 km/h, which was a very high figure for 1900. The range on pure electricity was about 40 kilometers.
The batteries were lead-acid batteries, which were extremely heavy. The total weight of the car exceeded 1200 kg, which created additional difficulties for steering and braking. Despite the weight electric traction ensured a smooth and silent ride, which was highly valued by the aristocracy.
| Parameter | Meaning | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Year of issue | 1900 | Presentation at the Paris Exhibition |
| ICE engine | Daimler, 2 cylinders | Worked like a generator |
| Electric motors | 2 pcs., in wheels | Direct drive |
| Maximum speed | 50 km/h | Record for that time |
| Power reserve (electric) | 40 km | Without starting the engine |
Pay attention to the location of the motors in the wheel hubs - this technology (wheel hub motor) is being actively introduced into modern electric cars only now, 120 years later.
Operating principle of series hybrid circuit
The uniqueness of the first hybrid lay in its sequential operating scheme. Unlike parallel hybrids, where the internal combustion engine and electric motor can simultaneously rotate the wheels, here the connection was purely electrical. The gasoline engine was started manually or automatically when the batteries were low and began to produce current.
The generated energy was either immediately supplied to the electric motors or accumulated in a buffer battery. This allowed the internal combustion engine to operate in a narrow speed range, where it Maximum efficiency. This approach minimized fuel consumption and emissions, although the environment was not yet a top priority.
Energy flows were controlled using a complex system of controllers and rheostats for that time. The driver could switch between modes: driving only on batteries, driving from a generator with recharging, or a combined mode. This offered flexibility not available in pure electric vehicles.
Why was this scheme abandoned in the 20th century?
Mass production of gasoline made fuel cheap, and battery technology remained stuck in development. The simplicity of the internal combustion engine and gearbox defeated the complexity of electrics for many decades.
The influence of the invention on the development of the automotive industry
Despite technical excellence, Lohner-Porsche did not go into mass production. The main obstacles were the high cost and complexity of maintenance. However, the idea did not disappear without a trace. Over the following decades, various engineers returned to the hybrid concept, trying to improve it.
During the world wars, hybrid technologies were used in military equipment, where high maneuverability and stealth movement were required. For example, some tanks and tractors used electric transmission. This confirmed the reliability of the scheme proposed by Porsche.
Only at the end of the 20th century, with the advent environmental standards and the development of electronics, the world was ready to accept hybrids. Appearance Toyota Prius in 1997 became the second birth of an idea laid down more than 90 years ago. Without the courage of early engineers, the modern auto industry would look different.
☑️ Evolution of hybrids
Comparison of the first hybrid and modern analogues
Comparing Lohner-Porsche with modern hybrids, you can see a huge difference in efficiency and weight. If back then the batteries weighed a ton and gave a range of 40 km, then modern lithium-ion batteries are many times lighter and more energy-intensive. However, the philosophy itself remained the same.
Modern management systems (BMS) can monitor thousands of battery cells per second, something that engineers in 1900 could not even imagine. However, the basic principle of energy recovery and operation of the internal combustion engine in optimal mode was laid down precisely then.
Interestingly, some modern hypercars such as Porsche 918 Spyder or Ferrari LaFerrari, use schemes reminiscent of the ideas of Ferdinand Porsche, but brought to the point. Powertrain electrification has become a trend again, closing a historical circle.
⚠️ Attention: When comparing characteristics, keep in mind that 50 km/h in 1900 on dirt roads required significantly more energy than driving at the same speed on modern asphalt.
Why didn't the technology become widespread right away?
The main reason for the commercial failure of the first hybrid was economics. At the beginning of the 20th century, gasoline cost pennies, and the production of batteries was an expensive and labor-intensive process. Cost of ownership hybrid was unaffordable for the average buyer.
In addition, the infrastructure to service complex electrical systems was lacking. Mechanics of the time could fix levers and gears, but had no idea what to do with electric motors and batteries. The reliability of the electrical components also left much to be desired.
Only when oil reserves began to deplete and requirements for exhaust purity to increase did humanity remember the forgotten patents. Today we see history come full circle and technologies that were rejected a hundred years ago are becoming the standard.
The success of a technology depends not only on its genius, but also on its economic feasibility and the readiness of society to accept it.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which car is considered the first hybrid?
The first full-fledged hybrid car is considered Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid, introduced by Ferdinand Porsche in 1900. It used a gasoline engine to generate electricity that powered electric motors in the wheels.
Did the first hybrid run on gasoline?
Yes, it used a gasoline engine from the company Daimler. However, it did not directly transmit torque to the wheels, but served as a generator to charge batteries and power electric motors.
Why did hybrids only appear in the 2000s if they were invented in 1900?
At the beginning of the 20th century, gasoline was very cheap, but batteries were heavy and expensive. Technology did not allow the hybrid to be competitive in price. Interest returned only with rising oil prices and environmental regulations in the late 20th century.
Has the first Porsche hybrid survived to this day?
The original prototype from 1900 has not survived in its complete original form, but the museum Porsche in Stuttgart recreated an exact copy Lohner-Porsche, which is shown to visitors and can even move.