What is a hybrid car?

A hybrid car, or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), combines a gasoline engine with one or more electric motors and a small high-voltage battery. The vehicle automatically blends gas and electric power to improve efficiency, and regenerative braking captures energy that would otherwise be lost as heat.

A conventional hybrid does not plug in. Its battery is recharged while driving through regenerative braking and the powertrain. Hybrids generally use less fuel and produce lower tailpipe emissions than comparable gasoline-only vehicles, but the size of the benefit depends on the specific model and how it is driven.