Journey of hybrid cars through history

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 combines the power generated from electric batteries and gasoline engine. These vehicles were developed when the awareness about less damaging, power generating methods were discovered. The hybrid vehicles were the solution for preserving the oil resources, increasing prices of gasoline and effects of vehicle emission on the environment. Due to their benefits, hybrid cars are now made and offered by all the leading vehicle companies.

Hybrid cars are manufactured today by the leading auto makers of the world. Interestingly, hybrid cars are not a new invention. Ferdinand Verbiest in 1665 developed a vehicle using steam engine. Nicholas Cugnot also made an effort to pursue this idea, and finally he was able to move a vehicle at the speed of 6miles/hour.

But it was not possible to move the vehicle to longer distances. Hence, this project ended unsuccessfully. Scientists made a major discovery in the nineteenth century in this field. In 1839, Robert Anderson designed the first car which was powered by electricity.

Developing good hybrid cars became a potential market for different investors. Many large motor companies started working on the project of developing Hybrid cars. For driving an electric engine in the hybrid vehicle a 28-cell battery was designed. It led to the invention of “Bersey Cabs”, in 1897. These cabs used an electric motor and 40 cell battery for moving. The power system was invented and designed by Walter Bersey. These hybrid cars could easily cover a distance of fifty miles in a single charging.

They funded the hybrid vehicle manufacturing on large scale. The leading auto makers bided to develop the first hybrid car. A 28 cell battery was designed for driving the electric engine. ‘Bersey cabs’ were invented in 1897, which relied on an electric motor and 40 cell battery to move. The power system was designed by Walter Barsey.

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.

Other hybrid vehicles were also designed till 1997. But in 1997, Toyota was the first company that developed an efficient and practical hybrid car. These hybrid cars gained popularity. After that, brand like Honda also cracked the hybrid car market and different modifications since then have made hybrid cars the first option for the customers when buying a car.

Browse the Lexus range of Hybrid Cars and book a test drive online, visit the Lexus website for more information.