In 1912 petrol engines were just getting established in Germany for fire appliances. Other solutions had included self propelled steamers and battery electric designs, as well as a petrol electric hybrid design developed by the famous Doctor Porsche and sold as a Loehner-Porsche. In these early years, London also had two self propelled steam pumps and several battery electric escape vans, before settling on petrol powered appliances by 1913.
By around 1920 the petrol engine had displaced these other designs, although of course it took another decade for some of these other rather weird units to be replaced by more modern and effective petrol designs.
One major factor was the success of military petrol engined trucks in WWI, and the fact that a lot of ex military personnel knew how to drive and maintain them.
By around 1920 the petrol engine had displaced these other designs, although of course it took another decade for some of these other rather weird units to be replaced by more modern and effective petrol designs.
One major factor was the success of military petrol engined trucks in WWI, and the fact that a lot of ex military personnel knew how to drive and maintain them.
Added by Rob Johnson on 22 January 2024.