The World's First Hybrid Car Was a 1898 Prototype - Apparently.
In 1898, French engineer Léon Serpollet built a steam-powered car with a gasoline engine, dubbed the "Serpollet Hybrid". This innovative vehicle used a steam engine to generate electricity, which was then used to power an electric motor, while also utilizing a gasoline engine for additional power. This pioneering design predated the modern hybrid cars of the 21st century and demonstrated a unique approach to combining different power sources in a single vehicle.