Review Car

Porsche Built an Electric Car in the 1900s

It seems that electric cars and Hybrids are gaining popularity as government pressure in lowering CO2 emissions seems to grow, and people are becoming more environmentally conscientious. However, one of the most exclusive and prestigious automakers built an electric model in the 1900s – Porsche. Yes, an electric model existed that long ago, and our efforts for becoming green may seem "late" when we know of this information. However, more than one hundred years later, we seem to be listening – even the now Porsche seems to be listening and considering more hybrids in the future.  

The 1900 electric car was the creation of Ferdinand Porsche – the founder of the company and a visionary of his time. Electric in the beginning, this car was later modified to work with electricity and gas. This would make this the first hybrid available. This vehicle won an award in the 1900 Paris World Fair – the award was for the most innovative invention.  

Although very different from today's electric technology, it was the beginning of a green technology that took more than 100 years to be noticed and applied. This vehicle had an electric motor on each of the front wheels. The speed was up to 37 mph, not bad for the times. When the gas feature was added, more due to the lack of performance of the batteries of that time, it went up to 56 mph. Even then, Porsche shined in performance and cutting edge innovation.  

That is why now, after Porsche's announcement that it will start focusing on hybrid models, the eyes are on Porsche, as this company is known for innovation and cutting edge technology for performance. What surprises will await Porsche lovers and enthusiasts? That is waiting to be seen, but for now, a hybrid SUV was introduced to the market in the past couple of years, and for 2012, Porsche will release a hybrid sports car version of the Spyder. However, its first true hybrid was the 1900 Ferdinand Porsche vehicle.