<P> In 1896 , the Armstrong Phaeton was developed by Harry E. Dey and built by the Armstrong Company of Bridgeport , CT for the Roger Mechanical Carriage Company . Though there were steam , electric , and internal combustion vehicles introduced in the early days , the Armstrong Phaeton was innovative with many firsts . Not only did it have a gasoline powered 6.5 - liter , two - cylinder engine , but also a dynamo flywheel connected to an onboard battery . The dynamo and regenerative braking were used to charge the battery . Its electric starter was used 16 years before Cadillac 's . The dynamo also provided ignition spark and powered the electric lamps . The Phaeton also had the first semi-automatic transmission ( no manual clutch ) . The exhaust system was an integrated structural component of the vehicle . The Armstrong Phaeton 's motor was too powerful ; the torque damaged the carriage wheels repeatedly . </P>
<P> In 1896 , the Armstrong Phaeton was developed by Harry E. Dey and built by the Armstrong Company of Bridgeport , CT for the Roger Mechanical Carriage Company . Though there were steam , electric , and internal combustion vehicles introduced in the early days , the Armstrong Phaeton was innovative with many firsts . Not only did it have a gasoline powered 6.5 - liter , two - cylinder engine , but also a dynamo flywheel connected to an onboard battery . The dynamo and regenerative braking were used to charge the battery . Its electric starter was used 16 years before Cadillac 's . The dynamo also provided ignition spark and powered the electric lamps . The Phaeton also had the first semi-automatic transmission ( no manual clutch ) . The exhaust system was an integrated structural component of the vehicle . The Armstrong Phaeton 's motor was too powerful ; the torque damaged the carriage wheels repeatedly . </P>
when was the first hybrid car on the road
when was the first hybrid car on the road
1896
1896