Know yur definishunz: Hybrid

The term hybrid by itself means a mix or combination of two elements, in the automotive world it generally is reserved for vehicles with a gasoline-electric engine hybrid. Gasoline-electric hybrid engines come in different configurations, some more efficient than others. As a result the hybrid label has been slapped on a wide range of cars which have essentially lead to a big mix up that most people aren't even aware of exist. So let me go through them one by one to clarify whats up with hybrids.

Mild Hybrid

A very simple set-up which shuts the engine off while it is idling in order to conserve on fuel. The system also can serve to recover kinetic energy through braking in order to power the electrical supplies. A part from a larger alternator/improved starter motor there are not a lot of physical changes between it and a conventional engine set up

Vehicles that use it: All vehicles that have a start-stop option e.g. BMW 1 series, Porsche Panamera [pictured]

Parallel Hybrid

This is the most common hybrid set up. It consists of the electric and gasoline engine working together and at the same time sharing the transmission.

Vehicles that use it: Most Honda Hybrids, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid [pictured]

Series Hybrid

This is essentially an electric car with a gasoline generator. This set up is ironically the first hybrid set up ever used. [which even more ironically was a Porsche]

Vehicles that use it: none in production, Lotus 414E, Hammerhead Eagle iThrust [aka Geoff], Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid [pictured]

Two Mode Hybrid

A mix between series and parallel hybrids, its too complexed and too detailed for me to get but all I know is that this is the system the Prius uses.

KERS

KERS is one of those systems that originate from hybrids but don't deserve the hybrid name. It uses regenerative braking [rotation captured from the wheel while it is decelerating] to capture energy and use it at another time. Although it is common for these systems to use batteries to store the energy, most race applications use flywheels to store the momentum which can then be released at the push of a button

Vehicles that use it: Porsche GT3 R Hybrid [pictured], all 2011 Formula 1 cars, Ferrari 599 HY-KERS

PHEV

PHEV [Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle] acts a lot like an electric car where the batteries are charged at home and the gasoline motor is only used when the battery supply is depleted.

Vehicles that use it: Chevrolet Volt, Porsche 918 [pictured]

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