Kriéger Company of Electric Vehicles

Kriéger Company of Electric Vehicles

Industry	Electric automobile manufacturing
Founded	January 1, 1898 (1898-01-01)
Founder	Louis Antoine Kriéger
Defunct	December 31, 1909 (1909-12-31)
Headquarters	Paris , France
Products	Electric automobiles (Brougham, Landaulette, Electrolette)

Kriéger Company of Electric Vehicles (Société des Voitures Électriques Système Kriéger) was engaged in the production of electric automobiles in Paris, France from 1898 until 1909.

History

Louis Antoine Kriéger (1868–1951) initiated his work on electric car designs in 1894 and established the Kriéger Company of Electric Vehicles by 1898 to meet the rising interest in electric transport within France. The firm's lineup included models such as the Brougham, Landaulette, and Electrolette. Vehicle output expanded from 43 units in 1901 to a minimum of 65 units by 1902. Kriéger also played a role in automotive racing, notably with a car called 'Powerful' introduced in 1900.

The Electrolette was designed as a two-seater equipped with two 3 hp electric motors positioned adjacent to each front wheel, each motor independently driving its respective wheel via enclosed gearing mechanisms. It utilized Fulmen batteries located beneath the carriage body for convenient maintenance access, providing a minimum travel distance of per full battery charge. The vehicle weighed and could achieve speeds of on flat terrain and on standard road surfaces.

Kriéger was an innovator in regenerative electric braking systems. In 1903, the company unveiled an early example of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) featuring front-wheel drive, power-assisted steering, and a petrol engine that supplemented the battery power.

Production of electric vehicles by the company concluded in 1909; however, Louis Antoine Kriéger continued to pursue design developments and retained the Electrolette designation for some period thereafter.

See also

• List of French cars
• Timeline of motor vehicle brands