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The first hybrid carriage and 4WD
In the 1900 Paris World Fair, Ferdinand Porsche (the founder of Porsche and the creator of the volkswagen beetle) created an Electric carriage and called it the System Lohner-Porsche. Later that year, he created the Mixte, which was a 4WD version of the carriage. -
The creation of the hybrid vehicle.
Henri Pieper created a hybrid vehicle was made. It had an electric motor and a generator, a smaller gasoline engine and batteries.. It used the electric motor to charge its batteries and used both of the motors so it could climb a hill or accelerate. -
Breakthrough in Western Germany for the Hybrid.
Erich Gaichen invented an electric car with 1/2 horsepower. The max. speed of the car was 40kmph. It was a smart car as when it went downhill, the battery charged. Some of the features in the car, are used today in our hybrid cars. -
Popularity increases in '51.
In 1951, the French company Compagnie Normande d'Etudes pour created the Arbel, made from fiber-glass and was a hybrid-petrol-electric -vehicle, but was mainly made for experiment purposes, until it was shown at a show in Paris and the French War Department showed interest in it. -
The start of a new era.
In the early 1970's there was a rise in fuel consumption, also known as the 'fuel crisis.' So inventors turned to fuel efficient cars to help save the planet and stop using fuel wastefully. -
The invention of the Prius.
The Toyota Prius (made and launched in Japan) was the first mass-produced and the mass-selling hybrid car. -
Invention of Honda Insight
The Honda Insight was the world's second mass-produced hybrid car. This, along with the Toyota Prius (the first mass-produced hybrid car,) was made in Japan. -
Recent Fuel Efficient Cars
This year, the more 'distingushed' car brands have released Hybrids, such as Ferrari with the La-Ferrari and McLaren with the McLaren P1. -
Future Fuel Efficient Cars.
Recently, major car brands have released plans for new hybrid/fuel efficient cars in 2014. These include the Toyota Prius, The Range Rover hybrid, The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, The BMW i8, The Volkswagen e-Up! and the Chevrolet Volt.
