Technology Review - Published By MIT
Advertisement
TO READ THIS STORY - you must have a paid subscription to Technology Review OR you can purchase special archive reading credits here. Choose from these great offers below.
I'm a paid subscriber please
log me in
I want to purchase this article for
only 99¢
(requires login)
I want to purchase five articles for
only $3.99
(requires login)
I want to buy
1 Year TOTAL Access for
only $24.95
(requires login)

Please note: Click here if you are currently a Technology Review print or digital subscriber and do not have access to this article.

June 2004

Prescient Porsche

Ferdinand Porsche demonstrated gas-electric hybrids at the turn of the 20th century.

By Dan Cho

With major carmakers these days unveiling hybrid vehicles that combine the power of internal combustion with the efficiency of electric motors, it's natural to assume the technology is a recent twist on the electric car. The truth is that both electrics and hybrids trace their roots to the dawn of the auto industry. Skeptics who suspect that "environmentally friendly" cars must yield underwhelming performance may be surprised to learn that these vehicles were pioneered by a man whose name would become synonymous with sporty racers: Ferdinand Porsche. The renowned engineer's first car was an "electromobile," and it set the stage for hybrids today.

Select from the choices above
to read the entire article.


Log In

Forgot your password?     Register »
Advertisement

Videos

Laser-Triggered Chemical Reactions
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Subscribe to Technology Review's daily e-mail update. Enter your e-mail address

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

More Technology News from Forbes

Advertisement
MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology © 2009 Technology Review. All Rights Reserved.