Alla Treccani sono ottimi letterati, ma come motoristi preferisco altre fonti. La prima che trovo:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_electric_vehicle
A
hybrid electric vehicle (
HEV) is a type of
hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional
internal combustion engine (ICE) system with an
electric propulsion system (
hybrid vehicle drivetrain). The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better
fuel economy than a
conventional vehicle or better performance. There is a variety of HEV types and the degree to which each function as an electric vehicle (EV) also varies. The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car, although hybrid electric trucks (pickups and tractors), buses, boats and aircraft also exist.
Modern HEVs make use of efficiency-improving technologies such as
regenerative brakes which convert the vehicle's
kinetic energy to electric energy, which is stored in a
battery or
supercapacitor. Some varieties of HEV use an internal combustion engine to turn an
electrical generator, which either recharges the vehicle's batteries or directly powers its electric drive motors; this combination is known as a
motor–generator.
[2]
Hybrid electric vehicles can be classified according to the way in which power is supplied to the drivetrain:
- In parallel hybrids, the ICE and the electric motor are both connected to the mechanical transmission and can simultaneously transmit power to drive the wheels, usually through a conventional transmission. Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system as found in the Insight, Civic, Accord, as well as the GM Belted Alternator/Starter (BAS Hybrid) system found in the Chevrolet Malibu hybrids are examples of production parallel hybrids.[18] The internal combustion engine of many parallel hybrids can also act as a generator for supplemental recharging. As of 2013, commercialized parallel hybrids use a full size combustion engine with a single, small (<20 kW) electric motor and small battery pack as the electric motor is designed to supplement the main engine, not to be the sole source of motive power from launch. But after 2015 parallel hybrids with over 50 kW are available, enabling electric driving at moderate acceleration. Parallel hybrids are more efficient than comparable non-hybrid vehicles especially during urban stop-and-go conditions where the electric motor is permitted to contribute,[18] and during highway operation.
- In series hybrids, only the electric motor drives the drivetrain, and a smaller ICE (also called range extender) works as a generator to power the electric motor or to recharge the batteries. They also usually have a larger battery pack than parallel hybrids, making them more expensive. Once the batteries are low, the small combustion engine can generate power at its optimum settings at all times, making them more efficient in extensive city driving.[18]
- Power-split hybrids have the benefits of a combination of series and parallel characteristics. As a result, they are more efficient overall, because series hybrids tend to be more efficient at lower speeds and parallel tend to be more efficient at high speeds; however, the cost of power-split hybrid is higher than a pure parallel.[18] Examples of power-split (referred to by some as "series-parallel") hybrid powertrains include 2007 models of Ford, General Motors, Lexus, Nissan, and Toyota.[18][19]
In each of the hybrids above it is common to use regenerative braking to recharge the batteries.
https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/how-do-hybrid-electric-cars-work
How Do Hybrid Electric Cars Work?
Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, which uses energy stored in
batteries. A hybrid electric vehicle cannot be plugged in to charge the battery. Instead, the battery is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine. The extra power provided by the electric motor can potentially allow for a smaller engine. The battery can also power auxiliary loads and reduce engine idling when stopped. Together, these features result in better fuel economy without sacrificing performance.