What is a hybrid car?

A conventional car, it runs on gasoline or diesel, works with an internal combustion engine. A hybrid car also has an engine, but also has an electric motor and batteries. This electric motor will operate in two situations: either in support of the engine, to give more power to the car, either alone, allowing the engine to remain off. In this case, we say that we drive in "all electric".

Specifically, recent models of hybrid car can run in all-electric low speed. During periods of high acceleration, both engines are operating simultaneously to deliver maximum power to the vehicle. The advantage of the hybrid is less when traveling at constant speed relatively high, eg on the motorway. In this case, consumption is almost identical to that of a conventional vehicle.

As for recharging batteries, it is done automatically by recovering the energy released at each stop. Furthermore, recent models of hybrid car can also be recharged from an outlet, this is called a hybrid "plug-in". Finally, no need to worry if the batteries are empty, because then it would be the engine that will take over, as in a conventional vehicle.