You are here:About>Autos>Auto Buying Guide
About.comAuto Buying Guide
 
Auto Buying Guide
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg

Hybrid Cars Explained What is a Hybrid Car?

by Eric Powers

A Brief Explanation of Hybrid Cars.

A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses a combination of at least two different fuel sources for its propulsion. Although many combinations are possible, generally when people are talking about hybrid cars, they are referring to cars with a combination of

    - a gasoline internal combustion engine

    - an electric motor

    - a battery that powers the electric motor and stores energy for future use.

Hybrid cars may also be called gas-electric hybrids.

Some examples of current hybrid cars include the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid (HCH), and the Honda Insight.

Due to their special use of technology, hybrid cars receive much higher gas mileage than the average U.S. vehicle. In fact, hybrid cars hold the top spots for fuel economy in their respective categories: two-seaters, compact cars and mid size cars.

 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.