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Porsche's recovered 1898 electric car (pictures)

After sitting in a warehouse for 111 years, the first Porsche is back.

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Eric Mack
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
Eric Mack
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Egger-Lohner electric vehicle, C.2 Phaeton model

Also known as the "P-1," this design would become the first vehicle from Ferdinand Porsche in 1898. Three years later it was wheeled into a warehouse where it sat for over 111 years. Recently recovered, the P-1 is now on permanent display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. Continue through the gallery to see how the unrestored electric vehicle looks today.
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After 111 years...

The Porsche P-1 sat out most of the 20th century in a warehouse, likely because it resembles an old wooden horse-drawn carriage.
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Old-school dashboard

The P-1 sports a definitively steampunk dashboard, but those gauges are actually measuring the energy left in the lead-acid batteries it once ran off. Carrying over 1,100 pounds of batteries, this car could cover a range of almost 50 miles.
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The original electric roadster

The P-1 was powered by a super-compact octagonal electric 3 horsepower engine weighing less than 300 pounds. Not quite a Tesla Roadster, but after a century, the family resemblance is still there.
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Definitely a Porsche

To ensure credit was given for his design, Ferdinand Porsche engraved "P1" for "Porsche 1" in many of the vehicle's parts.
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Back home

The unrestored P-1 is on permanent display at the Porsche Museum in Germany, beginning February 1.

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