While Porsche is renowned today for its high-performance sports cars powered by internal combustion engines and advanced hybrid and electric technology, the company’s roots trace back to the early days of electric vehicles. In fact, at the turn of the 20th century, Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the Porsche engineering company, was a pioneer in electric vehicle technology, most notably with his groundbreaking work on in-wheel electric motors. This innovative approach to vehicle propulsion debuted in the 1900 Lohner-Porsche, a vehicle that showcased not only Porsche’s engineering prowess but also his vision for the future of transportation.
Ferdinand Porsche’s Early Foray into Electric Vehicles
Ferdinand Porsche’s fascination with electricity began in his youth. Even before joining the automotive industry, he installed an electric lighting system in his parents’ home at the age of 18. His early career saw him working for Vereinigte Elektrizitäts-AG Béla Egger in Vienna, where he designed his first electric vehicles. One of his initial designs, the 1898 Egger-Lohner C.2 Phaeton, nicknamed the “P1”, was a fully electric vehicle, marking the first car designed by Porsche. This vehicle used an octagonal electric motor that produced 3 to 5 horsepower with a top speed of 25 km/h and a range of 80km. This early experience laid the foundation for his subsequent innovations in electric vehicle technology.
The Collaboration with Lohner and the Birth of the Wheel-Hub Motor
In 1899, Porsche joined the carriage-making company, k.u.k. Hofwagenfabrik Ludwig Lohner & Co. This collaboration led to the development of the revolutionary wheel-hub motor. The idea was to integrate the electric motor directly into the wheel hub, eliminating the need for a traditional transmission and drive shafts. This innovative concept aimed to reduce friction and improve efficiency by directly driving the wheels. Porsche’s role was pivotal in developing an electric powertrain for Lohner’s coaches. Despite his limited formal engineering education, Jacob Lohner entrusted him to develop an electric powertrain for his coaches, and he succeeded in just ten weeks.
The 1900 Lohner-Porsche: A Groundbreaking Electric Vehicle
The culmination of Porsche and Lohner’s collaboration was the 1900 Lohner-Porsche Electromobile. This vehicle debuted at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900, where it was met with amazement and hailed as a sensation. The Lohner-Porsche featured several innovative design elements:
In-Wheel Motors
The most significant feature of the Lohner-Porsche was its front-wheel hub motors. These motors, directly integrated into the wheel hubs, produced 2.5 horsepower each, enabling the car to reach a top speed of 37 km/h. This was a radical departure from conventional vehicle designs of the time and showed the potential for direct-drive electric propulsion.
All-Wheel Braking
Beyond the innovative motors, the Lohner-Porsche also featured four-wheel braking. This was a rare and advanced feature for the time and further demonstrated Porsche’s commitment to advanced engineering.
Modular Design
The Lohner-Porsche showcased a modular design that integrated the electric motors into the wheels. This approach not only reduced mechanical complexity but also highlighted the potential for modular electric vehicle design, where components could be easily replaced or upgraded.
The First Hybrid Vehicle: Semper Vivus
Ferdinand Porsche didn’t stop at pure electric vehicles. In 1900, he also designed the world’s first functional hybrid car, the “Semper Vivus” (Latin for “always alive”). This vehicle combined the wheel-hub motors with a gasoline engine that powered a generator to supply electricity to the wheel-hub motors. This ingenious solution aimed to address the range limitations of battery technology at the time by using the combustion engine to extend the vehicle’s driving range, showcasing his forward-thinking approach.
The “Mixte”
A year later, the production-ready version of the Semper Vivus was born as the Lohner-Porsche “Mixte”. This hybrid vehicle further demonstrated Porsche’s versatility and innovation in the field of automotive engineering. The “Mixte” combined the direct drive of electric motors with a generator powered by an internal combustion engine.
Technical Specifications of the 1900 Lohner-Porsche
The Lohner-Porsche Electromobile had a wooden chassis and body, reflecting the carriage-making origins of its design. It had a large leather roof, protecting the driver from the elements, with the following key technical specifications:
- Motors: Two internal-pole electric motors, one on each front wheel hub
- Power Output: 2.5 hp per motor, with short bursts of up to 7 hp
- Top Speed: Approximately 37 km/h (23 mph), with some sources suggesting up to 60 km/h
- Battery: 44-cell 80-volt lead battery
- Range: Approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles)
- Weight: Approximately 980 kg (2160 lbs)
Impact and Legacy of the Lohner-Porsche
The Lohner-Porsche’s impact extended beyond its immediate success at the Paris World’s Fair. It laid the groundwork for future electric vehicle technology and demonstrated the potential of in-wheel motors. The Lohner-Porsche also proved to be a formidable competitor, winning first prize in a 50-kilometer race in Berlin in 1899.
Inspiration for NASA’s Lunar Rovers
Notably, the wheel-hub motor technology pioneered by Porsche in 1900 influenced the design of NASA’s lunar rovers almost 70 years later. This demonstrates the enduring relevance of Porsche’s early innovations. The modular design that integrated motors into the wheels was a concept that inspired the lunar rovers, showcasing the lasting impact of Ferdinand Porsche’s early work.
The First All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
In addition to his work on the Lohner-Porsche, Ferdinand Porsche also designed the world’s first all-wheel-drive passenger car, the “La Toujours Contente”, an electric race car. This vehicle featured four wheel-hub motors, each with a power output of 14 PS, showcasing his early experimentation with all-wheel drive systems.
Why Electric Mobility Failed Initially
Despite its innovations, the Lohner-Porsche also highlighted the challenges faced by early electric vehicles. Its modest power output, combined with a weight of almost two tons, demonstrated the limitations of battery technology at the time. The lack of charging infrastructure and the short range also contributed to the initial failure of electric mobility, though these challenges would eventually be addressed in modern EVs.
Porsche’s First “Porsche”
It’s important to note that while the Lohner-Porsche was the first car with Porsche’s technology, it wasn’t the first vehicle to carry the Porsche brand name. That honor belongs to the 1948 Porsche 356, designed by Ferdinand Porsche’s son Ferry Porsche. The 356 was a lightweight sports car that was developed after the company relocated from Stuttgart to Gmünd in Carinthia to avoid Allied bombing during World War II. The first Porsche model was introduced in 1948, with 52 cars produced in 1949. The Porsche 356 is a sports car that set the foundation for the company’s long and illustrious history of producing high-performance sports cars.
Conclusion
The story of the 1900 Lohner-Porsche is a testament to Ferdinand Porsche’s ingenuity and vision. This pioneering vehicle, featuring innovative in-wheel electric motors, not only marked a significant milestone in automotive history but also demonstrated that the Porsche brand has always been about innovation and pushing boundaries. While Porsche would become famous for its internal combustion engines, the company’s roots are deeply intertwined with electric vehicle technology. The Lohner-Porsche serves as a reminder that the pursuit of automotive excellence has always been at the heart of the Porsche legacy. The legacy of the Lohner-Porsche lives on, inspiring new generations of engineers and designers to explore the potential of electric mobility.
