AD AGE'S HYBRIDS FOR DUMMIES; It's electric! Wait, no it's not. Then what exactly is a Prius or a Volt? Here's a handy guide to models on the market and on the horizon.(News)(American Honda Motor Company Inc.)(Ford Motor Co.)(Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.)

Advertising Age, December, 2007 by Halliday, Jean

Byline: JEAN HALLIDAY

Think you're confused about hybrids now? Just wait; more are coming.

The biggest misconception today is that the vehicles are electric, said Jack Nerad, executive director-auto analysis at the Kelley Blue Book website, kbb.com, and author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Vehicles.'' Although all the models for sale to the public have electric motors, none need to be plugged in.

Instead, they come with an electric motor, a gas engine and a battery pack that collects energy converted during braking to help recharge the battery, Mr. Nerad said. The systems capture energy that would be wasted by a conventional gas engine.

While systems vary by manufacturer, they all work basically the...

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