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A hybrid car is based upon the hybrid technology according to which a vehicle depends upon two or more power sources for proper functioning and movement. it consists of an electric motor along with a regular combustion engine, which generates power.

A hybrid car works in a way by combining the power generated from electric batteries and gasoline engine. The theory behind the development of the hybrid cars is the awareness of the discovery of the less damaging power generating methods. The hybrid cars were made as a solution for preserving the oil resources, increasing prices of gasoline and effects of vehicle emission on the environment. Almost all the leading automobile companies are manufacturing hybrid cars due to its large number of benefits.

Hybrid cars are manufactured today by the leading auto makers of the world. Interestingly, hybrid cars are not a new invention. Ferdinand Verbiest in 1665 developed a vehicle using steam engine. Nicholas Cugnot also made an effort to pursue this idea, and finally he was able to move a vehicle at the speed of 6miles/hour.

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.

Many investors took up the idea of hybrid cars as they seemed like a profiting potential market. Most of the major automobile companies started working on the development of hybrid cars. A 28-cell battery was designed for driving an electric engine in the hybrid vehicle, which led to the invention of “bersey cabs” in the year 1897. An electric motor and 40 cell battery for moving in these cabs. The power system for these cabs was invented and designed by Walter Bersey. These hybrid cars were good enough to cover a distance of fifty miles in a single charging.

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

A breakthrough idea for development of hybrid cars was introduced by a Belgian carmaker Pieper. The car made by him used a horsepower motor and electric motor. The electric motor provided the extra power to gas engine, whenever it was needed in the hybrid cars. However, this vehicle needed a battery pack to work properly.

Later on, a substitute for battery pack was introduced by the commercial built trucks company. The company did not produced much of these vehicles, although, it was a four-cylinder gas engine. General motors company designed hybrid vehicles that used gas combustion and electric power in the year 1969. The switch in the hybrid vehicles that was used to switch from gasoline engine to electric motor of the vehicle was invented by Volkswagen. This switch played a great role in increasing the efficiency of vehicle.

Till the year 1997, other hybrid vehicles were also designed. The first efficient and practical hybrid car was developed by Toyota. These hybrid cars became highly popular. Later on, famous brands like Honda also cracked the hybrid car market and different modifications, since then, have made hybrid cars the first option for the customers when buying a car.

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