Hybrid car is the hybrid vehicle that uses two or more sources of power for proper functioning and moving. The hybrid vehicles have an electric motor, in addition to a combustion engine, to generate power to move the vehicle.

A hybrid vehicle depends upon both power sources- the electric batteries and the gasoline engine. Hybrid cars were developed when the need to manufacture low cost and fuel efficient vehicles was felt. Hybrid vehicles are believed to preserve the depleting oil reserves in the world; to counteract for the ever rising prices of petroleum products; and to decrease the harmful emissions in the environment.

Hybrid cars are not something invented in the recent times but have a long history. Ferdinand Verbiest in 1665 came up with the idea for the first time when he tried to run a vehicle using steam engine or by moving. Nicholas Cugnot tried to put the dean to practice in 1769. He worked on steam-powered engine and was successful in moving the vehicle at the speed of six miles an hour. It was difficult to move the vehicle for a long distance; therefore, the project did not proceed further.

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.

This vehicle has its own drawbacks because it could not cover longer distances until it was recharged again. In 1870, David Solomon developed a lighter motor for the hybrid car but the problem of recharging remained as it is. Hence, this idea didn’t sell as well. Investors viewed the development of hybrid cars as a golden chance for investment.

Porsche was the company that used a combined internal combustion and electric engine to derive the power in the year 1898. In the wheel hubs of the vehicle, the batteries were installed. Without any recharging on a single battery, the vehicle could easily travel a distance of forty miles.

A Belgian carmaker Pieper introduced a breakthrough idea for development of hybrid cars. The car he made used a horsepower motor and electric motor. In this hybrid vehicle, the electric motor provided the extra power to gas engine, whenever needed. The designed 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.

General Motors introduced their first hybrid vehicle that comprised of gas combustion engine and electric engine. Inventing the switch that transferred the power from one engine to another engine was Volkswagen’s feather in the cap. It greatly increased the efficiency of the hybrid vehicle. Developments in hybrid technology continued and in 1997, Toyota developed the first practical and efficient hybrid car. Honda also stepped in the competition and developed its own hybrid models. Consumers today consider buying hybrid cars because of its numerous benefits.

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