The World's First Hybrid: Lohner-Porsche 'Semper Vivus'

The Lohner-Porsche "Semper Vivus" was the world's first hybrid vehicle, and it was designed by Ferdinand Porsche in 1900. The car was based on the Lohner electric car, which had been designed by Porsche's employer, Ludwig Lohner. Porsche added a gasoline engine to the car, which acted as a generator to charge the battery and power the electric motors. The "Semper Vivus" was powered by two electric motors, one for each front wheel, and the car could reach a top speed of 22 mph. The gasoline engine was a 1.5-liter unit that produced 3 horsepower and charged the batteries when they ran low. One of the most innovative features of the "Semper Vivus" was its regenerative braking system, which converted the energy generated by braking into electrical energy and stored it in the batteries. Today, the Lohner-Porsche "Semper Vivus" is considered a milestone in the development of hybrid and electric vehicles. The car is currently owned by the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, and is on display for visitors to see. #porsche #porschemuseum #porschelove

Added 17 Aug 2026