The 1HP Naturmobil Hybrid Vehicle

Green Vehicles. What are they? Well they can be hybrid vehicles or full electric vehicles. But can they be horse powered? Well this one can. An Iranian engineer based in Dubai has come up with something truly different. Abdolhadi Mirhejazi has built the Naturmobil (previously, the Naturcar). The Naturmobil is 1 HP. That is the truth. It’s literally powered by one horse. The Naturmobil is a six wheeled, polycarbonate framed buggy with a top speed of 50mph although typical cruising velocity is closer to 12mph.

Inside the cart is a treadmill tied to a gearbox. Powering the treadmill is a horse. Temperature and heart rate sensors attached to the horse allow its condition to be monitored so that it doesn’t get overworked. When the horse walks it moves the conveyor belt which through a gearbox drives an electric motor that drives the front wheels.

Via: Treehugger and AutoBlogGreen

More photos below.

“Abdolhadi Mirhejazi during a test ride.”

“Naturmobil can reach speeds of up to 80km/h – although its cruising speed is a more sedate 20km/h.”

It reminds us of this horse-powered bus.

That poor horse looks like it wishes it could walk on firm ground.

“Naturmobil was designed and built to achieve the maximum level of attention from its audiences.”