Whether you want to admit it or not, the race for alternative fuel has begun. Nobody knows when or if the supply will run out, but what is for sure is that gas prices are on the rise and people are looking for alternative fuels. Hybrid technology is an ever-advancing technology that is finding new ways to stretch every gallon of gas as far as possible.
Believe it or not, the history of hybrid technology dates back to the 1800’s (Hoyer). If one were to really think about it, hybrids dated before that in the form of steam. However, they would be costly and dirty to run all the time in an automobile. One could easily argue that the first hybrids were very similar to those of today. The problem with this is that the only records available are just records. There is no physical evidence of these cars existing. In 1870, the first battery powered car was created that actually worked. Sir David Salomon created a very small powered car with large and heavy batteries (History). Needless to say, the cost, accompanied by the weight, short range, and lack of power led to this car not lasting very long. In 1897, a London cab company introduced a taxi service using battery powered cars that could get up to 50 miles between charges (History). In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche (who later created Porsche, which is well known today) built his first car, and his second car was a hybrid car. This hybrid was an internal combustion motor which powered a motor in each wheel. On battery alone, this car could travel distances of 40 miles before needing a recharge (History). The year 1900 gave way to a slightly different car. Pieper created an internal combustion powered car with an electric motor mounted under the seat. When cruising, the electric motor would help recharge the batteries and when the car was in need of more power, the electric motor would help give that extra push to reach the summit (History). Henry Ford created Ford Motor Company in 1903. His gasoline combustion engines were easy to use, greater traveling distance, low cost (due to the production lines), and power, they soon replaced the hybrids (History). Beginning in 1913, the short lived reign of hybrid vehicles relatively came to an end. Self starting motors were created which allowed people to safely start the cars and at that point, hybrid cars sold 6,000 units in 1913, whereas Ford Motor Company sold nearly 183,000 units in the form of their Model T (History).
There was a 45 year time period in which hybrids were put on the wayside. From 1920-1965, combustion engines roamed the streets unchallenged. However, in 1965, word began to spread that pollution was becoming an issue and destroying the atmosphere. Over the years up until the year 2000, hybrid technology was being developed until the Honda Insight was released, the first commercial hybrid (History). The government has passed laws regarding pollution standards which companies must abide by. Since the release of the Honda Insight, many other companies have released cars, such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Toyota Prius being the most notable.