First, what is a hybrid vehicle? Really, any vehicle that combines two forms of power is a hybrid. Most locomotives use diesel engines to turn generators that power electric motors attached to the large steel wheels. Some bicycles can be equipped with small gasoline engines or electric motors. At the peak of complexity are the nuclear submarines. These vehicles use nuclear power from reactors to generate steam which is then used to drive turbines for propulsion and generating electricity. So, it seems hybrid vehicles are not new. However, it wasn’t until Honda’s release of the innovative Honda Insight in 2000 that the notion of a hybrid car was really presented to mainstream America.

All hybrid cars available to consumers in the United States currently use electricity and gasoline as sources of power, although several companies are researching the feasibility of producing diesel-electric hybrid vehicles.

Today’s hybrid cars share some common components that make them gasoline electric hybrids. A gasoline engine converts the energy in gasoline into motion by turning the heat of burning fuel into pressure on moving pistons. One or more electric motors convert electrical energy stored in a battery pack into motion. On most gasoline-electric hybrids the gasoline engine and electric motor(s) both drive the same wheels. It is also possible to use a gasoline engine and electric motors to drive one set of wheels while the remaining wheels are driven solely by electricity. This setup is found on today’s all wheel drive hybrid SUVs and on Lexus’ GS 450h sport sedan.

What makes hybrid cars different from electric cars is also what makes them a viable option for so many. Because the vehicles use gasoline engines in tandem with electric motors, the vehicles can charge themselves, negating the need to plug cars in when not in use. The electric motor is controlled by sophisticated computers to drive the wheels when it is efficient to do so and power is available in the battery pack. This is called discharging the battery. When the computer determines that it is more efficient to run solely on gasoline power, the motor shuts off and actually produces electricity as it spins. This is charging the battery. The electric motors can also be used to slow the wheels when braking. This, too, generates electricity and charges the battery. This feature is termed regenerative braking.

That, in essence is how hybrid cars work. Gasoline engines and electric motors team up in a single vehicle to utilize the best features of both. The net result is great mileage, fuel expense savings and comfort in knowing that these vehicles are minimizing impact on the planet’s atmosphere.