When Karl Benz patented the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1885, it was patented as an “automobile fueled by gas.” From the beginnings of the automobile in the late nineteenth century and into the twenty-first century, there have been alternatives to the internal combustion engine as a means of propulsion. A few of these alternatives are on display at the LeMay America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
![photo DSCN4983_zpsf5d759dd.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4983_zpsf5d759dd.jpg)
Shown above is an early electric charging station for electric cars.
Baker:
![photo DSCN4975_zpsf561583c.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4975_zpsf561583c.jpg)
![photo DSCN4976_zpsb651da9c.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4976_zpsb651da9c.jpg)
![photo DSCN4978_zps6f790c7f.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4978_zps6f790c7f.jpg)
Shown above is a 1911 Baker Electric. Twelve 6-volt batteries (six in the front compartment and six in the rear) provide the power. Electric cars at this time were considered women’s cars as they required no cranking. It is interesting to note that the driver and passengers faced each other.
Standard:
![photo DSCN4980_zps68ccb560.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4980_zps68ccb560.jpg)
![photo DSCN4981_zps6a094af9.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4981_zps6a094af9.jpg)
Shown above is a 1912 Standard Electric Motor 96. Notice that there is no steering wheel: like many other cars of this era, it was guided with a tiller.
Baldwin:
![photo DSCN4986_zpsef4765a9.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4986_zpsef4765a9.jpg)
![photo DSCN4987_zps7b20ba98.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4987_zps7b20ba98.jpg)
Shown above is an 1899 Baldwin Steamer. In 1896, L.F. Baldwin designed his first steam vehicle and two years later he started building his own steam car.
Stanley:
![photo DSCN4989_zpsdb2c02b3.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4989_zpsdb2c02b3.jpg)
![photo DSCN4990_zps9652c180.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4990_zps9652c180.jpg)
![photo DSCN4991_zps700f5536.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4991_zps700f5536.jpg)
![photo DSCN4992_zps2ea1f4f1.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4992_zps2ea1f4f1.jpg)
![photo DSCN4993_zps4a385b19.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4993_zps4a385b19.jpg)
![photo DSCN4994_zpsa2355d42.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4994_zpsa2355d42.jpg)
Shown above is a 1919 Stanley Steamer. This car could reach an amazing speed of 75 miles per hour, but its range was limited to only 50 miles. The Stanley Motor Carriage Company manufactured steam-engine cars from 1902 to 1924.
Comuta-Car:
![photo DSCN4996_zps9340ee7c.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4996_zps9340ee7c.jpg)
![photo DSCN4997_zps0448313c.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4997_zps0448313c.jpg)
![photo DSCN4998_zpscc60baf9.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN4998_zpscc60baf9.jpg)
Shown above is a 1981 Comuta-Car. This car carries eight 6-volt batteries. It can cruise at 35 miles per hour (which is also its top speed) and has a range of about 40 miles.
Viking:
![photo DSCN5002_zps88115f12.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN5002_zps88115f12.jpg)
![photo DSCN5003_zpsad085148.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN5003_zpsad085148.jpg)
Shown above is the 1990 Viking XX Solar Race Car.
Momentum:
![photo DSCN5005_zpsc4427e32.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN5005_zpsc4427e32.jpg)
Shown above is the 2005 Momentum Solar Car.
Nelco:
![photo DSCN5008_zps65216609.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN5008_zps65216609.jpg)
![photo DSCN5009_zps23eca5de.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN5009_zps23eca5de.jpg)
![photo DSCN5010_zpsd1625681.jpg](http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz139/Ojibwa/Tacoma/Alt%20Fuel/DSCN5010_zpsd1625681.jpg)
Shown above is a 1958 Nelco Solocar Electric Tricycle.