Lanchester petrol-electric car

The Lanchester petrol-electric car is a protype motor vehicle, designed in 1927 by Frederick W. Lanchester of the Lanchester Motor Company in his workshop in Birmingham, England. It is now on display in Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum.[1][2]

Lanchester petrol-electric car
F W Lanchester's prototype petrol-electric car 1927, at Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
Overview
TypePrototype petrol-electric hybrid
ManufacturerLanchester Motor Company
Model years1927 (1927)
DesignerFrederick W. Lanchester

The term "petrol-electric" denotes that the car was a hybrid vehicle, with both a petrol engine, at the rear, and an electric motor.[1] The latter was used for starting, reversing, and when extra power was needed, for example for climbing hills.[1] When traveling at speed, under petrol power, the electric motor acted as a generator, charging the battery.[1] The car has no clutch or gearbox.[1] The body and suspension are both made of wood.[1]

The design never went into production.[3] After it had been driven for only 757 miles (1,218 km), Lanchester abandoned the project.[1]

References
  1. "Britain falls in love with the motorcar (2)". Birmingham Stories. Birmingham Museums Trust. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  2. Accession number: 1961S01404
  3. "Britain falls in love with the motorcar (1)". Birmingham Stories. Birmingham Museums Trust. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
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