The Prius Concept Car at the Tokyo Motor Show.

BY MBI MOTORING TEAM

THERE is, sitting gloriously in a showcase at the Porsche Museum in Germany, a fully functional replica of the Semper Vivus– (Latin for “always alive”)—the world’s first hybrid car. It is a real Porsche—as Ferdinand Porsche himself, broke new ground in automotive engineering, and developed the world’s first series-production hybrid drive for the Viennese Imperial Carriage Factory Ludwig Lohner & Co. It featured two gasoline engines coupled with generators, forming a charging unit that powered both the wheel hub motors and the onboard batteries.

Painstakingly recreated from original sketches and extensive research, the hybrid on display at the Porsche museum is a faithful reproduction was built in collaboration with Porsche Engineering and Karosseriebau Drescher from Hinterzarten, Germany.

Even after more than a century, the Semper Vivus’s visionary concept continues to inspire awe and admiration. Today the great, great grandchildren of the Semper Vivus include the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid which combines a powerful gasoline engine with an electric motor for impressive performance and the ability to drive in electric-only mode for short distances, and the Cayenne e-Hybrid which is a luxury SUV which can be driven in electric only mode for city commutes and longer trips using the gasoline engine.

“Just in time for the 21st century.”

In 1993, Toyota initiated discussions to develop a “vehicle for the 21st century.” This led to the launch of the G21 Project, aimed at significantly improving fuel efficiency. Initially targeting a 1.5-fold improvement over conventional engines, the project later received a mandate to double fuel efficiency.

The hybrid approach emerged as the solution to achieving this ambitious goal. A hybrid concept vehicle was showcased at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, utilizing a capacitor for electricity storage. Subsequently, the decision was made to incorporate the hybrid system into the production model.

Honda stole the show

As it happens in the old automotive world of “breakthroughs” the Prius wasn’t the first to go to market. It was Honda that released the Insight, released in the U.S. in 1999, a few months before Toyota’s Prius.

The Insight was a compact, two-seater hatchback designed for aerodynamics, equipped with a 13-hp electric motor integrated between the transmission and a small 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine. This Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system provided supplemental power and regenerative braking, but unlike Toyota’s hybrid system, it couldn’t propel the car solely on electricity.

Honda continued to refine this IMA system throughout the 2000s, utilizing it in the well received Civic Hybrid and a second-generation Insight. This five-door hatchback Insight launched simultaneously with the third-generation Prius but faced stiffer competition from Toyota’s more popular hybrid. Eventually, Honda shifted gears and adopted a two-motor system, similar to Toyota’s in its capability for electric-only propulsion, but with a distinct engineering approach.

The Prius:
The most successful

The first-generation Toyota Prius, launched in October 1997, marked a significant milestone as the world’s first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle. It had remarkable fuel efficiency—incorporating several innovative technologies, including energy regeneration during braking, engine shut-off during stops, and a highly efficient 1.5L D-4 direct injection gasoline engine paired with a belt-type continuously variable transmission (CVT). This marked a shift in focus from engine improvement alone to the adoption of a comprehensive hybrid system.

In 2003, the Prius underwent a complete redesign. The second-generation model featured the Toyota Hybrid System II, an evolution of the previous system, resulting in an improved fuel efficiency rating of 35.5 km/L in the 10- 15 test cycle. The design also evolved, with a “triangle silhouette” that optimized aerodynamics while establishing a distinctive Prius aesthetic. This is the model that was introduced to the Philippines in 2005.

The third-generation Prius, introduced in 2009, retained the “triangle silhouette” while incorporating subtle refinements to the hood, headlights, and side profile. Although the body size increased slightly, the engine was upgraded to a 1.8-liter capacity. The fourth generation Prius, launched in 2015, prioritized a dynamic and sporty appearance with the same powertrain. Of all the car makers, only Toyota prioritized hybrids in its line up; Nissan focused on battery EVs.

In recent years, China has seen a remarkable surge in hybrid vehicle development, fueled by government incentives and a growing consumer demand for eco-friendly transportation. Particularly, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have experienced a substantial increase in sales, outpacing even battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2023. This trend is indicative of a shift in consumer preferences towards vehicles that offer both fuel efficiency and the flexibility of a gasoline engine.

Leading the charge in this burgeoning market are domestic Chinese automakers, such as BYD, Li Auto, and Geely, who have introduced a wide array of hybrid models to cater to diverse tastes and budgets. These companies are focusing on extended-range hybrids, which combine a smaller gasoline engine with a larger battery pack, effectively addressing concerns about limited range and offering a practical compromise for consumers not yet ready to fully embrace electric vehicles.

Government support has played a pivotal role in fostering this growth, with tax exemptions, subsidies, and preferential policies encouraging consumers to opt for hybrid vehicles. Additionally, Chinese companies have made significant strides in hybrid technology, developing advanced battery systems, efficient electric motors, and intelligent power management systems.

While challenges such as the sustainability of government subsidies and the need for further technological advancements remain, the future of hybrid vehicles in China domestically as it goes on globally is promising. As the country continues its journey towards a greener transportation landscape, hybrids are poised to play a crucial role in reducing emissions and promoting energy conservation.