In genetics, a hybrid is the result of combining elements from different species. When it comes to cars and trucks, a hybrid refers to a vehicle whose powertrain combines the aspects of different technologies (i.e. gasoline and electric) to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

In automotive terms, hybridization is nothing new. Hybrid cars and trucks that combined an electric motor with a gasoline engine date back to the turn of the 20th century (see Back to the Past). Hybrid diesel-electric locomotives have been in operation for years, and diesel-electric buses began to appear in the 1970s.

These days, automotive choices that combine two or more sources of power are known as hybrid vehicles. The most common is the electric hybrid, which melds a gasoline engine with an electric setup (electric motor, charging system, and a battery/storage system).

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