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.