Moving toward era of green cars

To be combined with a story titled Innovation towards era of green cars

Indeed, innovation cannot always be enjoyed by the public. Sometimes, new inventions in the automotive world serve only to boost the image of companies, as can be seen in the history of innovation in the transportation sector from the 1780s to the widespread popularity of green technology today.

This history began with the awarding of the first automobile patent in the United States to Oliver Evans in 1789. Then in 1804 Evans demonstrated the world's first steam-powered amphibian automobile. The first automobile to use a gasoline-powered inner combustion engine was invented almost simultaneously in 1886 by three Germans, who hit upon their inventions in separate places.

In the 1930s, several new modern automobile technologies came into being. In 1934, Andre Citroen introduced front-wheel steering during the launch of the Traction Avant.

After 1930, the number of car makers dropped significantly, causing the slowing of innovation in automotive technologies. In the 1960s, when electronic goods could be obtained quite inexpensively, several inventions in engine management were made. Bosch later developed electronic instruments for use in motorized vehicle systems to help make exhaust gas cleaner. As a result, there was a sharp increase in engines' fuel efficiency and power, thus marking the beginning of the "green car".

The writer is a Jakarta-based automotive industry observer