The First Ever Porsche Was Made of Wood and Ran on Electricity
The world’s first-ever vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche is a far cry from the powerful sports cars the brand is known for.
Built in 1898, the vehicle was officially called the Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, C.2 Phaeton Model, or P1 for short. It was designed and built by the 22-year-old Ferdinand Porsche and took to the streets of Vienna, Austria on June 26, 1898. The electric drive weighed 287 lbs and produced just three hp, but for short periods of time, the P1 could generate up to five hp in overdrive mode, allowing it to achieve speeds up to 21 mph.
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Five years since the opening of the Porsche Museum, the P1 will join the exhibition and become a centerpiece, bridging the gap between the past and present-day Porsche models.
GALLERY: Porsche P1
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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