History's Innovative Autos
Gas-electric hybrid
In 1901, Czech engineer Ferdinand Porsche
unveiled the Mixte (above). French for "mixed," the car was a
forerunner to today's gas-electric hybrids, which use less gasoline and
create fewer emissions than conventional gas-powered cars. But unlike Porsche's
later sports cars, the Mixte was too far ahead of its time. The four-seater
model required nearly two tons of batteries, which made it too expensive to be
produced in bulk. (The model seen here is a two-seater.) Improved battery
technologies have helped reduce costs and allow modern hybrids like
Toyota's Prius to sell increasingly well.