Two commercial vehicles and their drivers, West Yorkshire, England, UK c. 1917. They each have a massive bag containing coal gas on the roof. This gas was used to power the trucks. During World War I in the UK and Europe petrol (gasoline) supplies were almost non-existent in many areas. All available fuel was diverted to power military vehicles, boats and aircraft during the war efforts - so gas became an alternative fuel.
Two commercial vehicles and their drivers, West Yorkshire, England, UK c. 1917. They each have a massive bag containing coal gas on the roof. This gas was used to power the trucks. During World War I in the UK and Europe petrol (gasoline) supplies were almost non-existent in many areas. All available fuel was diverted to power military vehicles, boats and aircraft during the war efforts, leaving little for private passenger cars and commercial vehicles. In the 1800s during the development of the internal combustion engine town gas (coal gas) and methane had been used in addition to oil-based fuels. This method was revived and coal gas was made available. It became a fuel alternative during the First World War. To contain the gas the same materials used for air ship balloons were brought into play to make the gas bags for vehicles during this time. Pre health and safety times - the man on the left is holding a cigarette. The bag on the right was supplied by a company in Keighley. The vehicle on the left is a Lacre - a vintage World War I photograph
Size: 2835px × 2276px
Location: West Yorkshire, England, UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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