An Overview Of The History Of Hybrid Cars

A hybrid car is based upon the hybrid technology according to which a vehicle depends upon two or more power sources for proper functioning and movement. it consists of an electric motor along with a regular combustion engine, which generates power.

A hybrid vehicle depends upon both power sources- the electric batteries and the gasoline engine. Hybrid cars were developed when the need to manufacture low cost and fuel efficient vehicles was felt. Hybrid vehicles are believed to preserve the depleting oil reserves in the world; to counteract for the ever rising prices of petroleum products; and to decrease the harmful emissions in the environment.

There is a long history of the invention of hybrid cars. The idea was initially generated by Ferdinand Verbiest in the year 1665, when he tried to run a vehicle using steam engine or by moving. However, in the year 1769, Nicholas Cugnot tried to put the idea to practice. He succeeded in moving the vehicle at the speed of six miles an hour on a steam-powered engine. The project was stopped as it was not possible to move the vehicle for a long distance.

In nineteenth century, Robert Anderson designed the first car powered by electricity in 1839. It was also not a proper hybrid car as it was difficult to recharge the car and it therefore had a very limited range. After a few years in 1870, David Solomon, another scientist, made a lighter motor for the hybrid vehicle. Recharging was difficult and costly, so the idea was not practical enough to put into use.

This vehicle has its own drawbacks because it could not cover longer distances until it was recharged again. In 1870, David Solomon developed a lighter motor for the hybrid car but the problem of recharging remained as it is. Hence, this idea didn't sell as well. Investors viewed the development of hybrid cars as a golden chance for investment.

Porsche was the company that used a combined internal combustion and electric engine to derive the power in the year 1898. In the wheel hubs of the vehicle, the batteries were installed. Without any recharging on a single battery, the vehicle could easily travel a distance of forty miles.

A breakthrough idea for development of hybrid cars was introduced by a Belgian carmaker Pieper. The car made by him used a horsepower motor and electric motor. The electric motor provided the extra power to gas engine, whenever it was needed in the hybrid cars. However, this vehicle needed a battery pack to work properly.

Commercial Built Trucks Company introduced a substitute for battery pack. It was a four-cylinder gas engine, but the company did not produce a lot of vehicles. Hybrid cars again gained importance as a potential market. In 1969, the General Motors Company designed hybrid vehicles that used gas combustion and electric power. Volkswagen invented the switch in the hybrid vehicles that was used to switch from gasoline engine to electric motor of the vehicle. This switch helped in increasing the efficiency of vehicle.

General Motors introduced their first hybrid vehicle that comprised of gas combustion engine and electric engine. Inventing the switch that transferred the power from one engine to another engine was Volkswagen's feather in the cap. It greatly increased the efficiency of the hybrid vehicle. Developments in hybrid technology continued and in 1997, Toyota developed the first practical and efficient hybrid car. Honda also stepped in the competition and developed its own hybrid models. Consumers today consider buying hybrid cars because of its numerous benefits.