If you know a bit about automotive history, chances are you remember that the industry was deciding between ICE and electric vehicles at some point. However, even before that, researchers considered steam-powered cars.
They were quickly discarded due to their operation quirks and huge dimensions, but several examples have survived to this day. In a recent video by Jay Leno Garage, the host shows us just how complex these primal vehicles used to be.
The car in the video is a 1909 White Model M driven by a steam generator. The power clocks in at 40 PS (40 hp / 30 kW) – not bad at all compared to some other variants. You need pilot fuel, regular fuel and water to get going, but once you do, you can accelerate to around 100 km/h (62 mph). Jay Leno says the optimum speed lay close to 65 km/h (40 mph).
Interestingly enough, the steam generator becomes very quiet once it reaches its operational temperature, and can drive the wheels at revolutions as low as 25 RPM.