Jose Mier Looks at the 1917 Woods Dual Power
The first hybrid gas electrical car did not come out in 1983, but in 1917. The Woods Dual Power was constructed by the Woods Motor Vehicle Company of Chicago. Because the gas engine was so rough, however provided more get up and go and electric cars were smoother, however had actually restricted variety, the Woods Motor Vehicle Company wanted to supply an automobile that gave you the very best of both worlds.
The engine was a parallel hybrid that consisted of a 12-hp, 4-cylinder gas engine as an auxiliary drive system in addition to the electrical drive train. Combined with the gas engine, the dual wood power might get as fast as 35 mph.
The gasoline engine and electric engine were connected together by means of a magnetic clutch. When triggered (by a lever controlled by the motorist), the gas engine became activated. At this time a copper disk was pulled toward the flywheel linking the gas engine to the electrical motor.
Just the electrical motor could be used while entering reverse. Why? Because the engine had no clutch therefore the gas engine had no equipments!
The cars and truck battery developed for this cars and truck had to do with half the size of the batteries in other electrical cars of the time. As soon as the cars and truck got up to 20 miles per hour, the gas engine could be engaged, permitting the electric motor and gas motor to work together. The battery could be charged or released by another lever. When coasting down hills, charging was done by the gas motor (at speeds over 6 mph) or by braking on level ground or. A standard brake pedal was just used at speeds of less than 6 miles per hour.
Offered for the whopping price of $2,650 (1917 prices, remember). If you wanted wire wheels they were considered a luxury, and set you back an additional $25. Or you might ‘pimp’ your automobile out for another $100 (paint and trim).
Eventually, the first hybrid was an industrial failure. It was constructed only in 1917 and 1918. It was too pricey, too slow, and too difficult to service to be an industrial success.
The car’s engine was what we call a parallel hybrid that included a 12-hp, 4-cylinder gasoline powered engine as an secondary drive system in addition to the electrical drive train. The gas engine and electrical engine were connected using a magnetic clutch. Due to the fact that the engine was not connected to a clutch and so the result was that the gas engine had no gears!
When the automobile got up to 20 miles per hour, the gas engine could be engaged, permitting the electrical motor and gas motor to work together.