Hybrid cars are so last century Alternative fuels go way, way back. Museum exhibit includes coal-burning cars, jet cars, solar vehicles and early hybrids. Today's fuel efficiency trivia question: When was the first gas-electric hybrid car produced? If you guessed something like 1983, you're wrong. Try much earlier. On display at an exhibit opening Saturday at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will be a 1917 Woods Dual Power, which had a gasoline engine coupled with an electric motor-generator, just like modern hybrid cars. Unlike the Toyota Prius, however, the Woods Dual Power was a marketing flop. Production ceased after just two years. Read more.
Yes, I plan to go to the exhibit, which is called Propulsion After Petroleum. In fact, I'm hoping to get the San Diego Prius Club to go as a group. I've been to the museum to see their other special exhibits and have enjoyed them all.
