Hybrid vehicles have a rich and illustrious history that is all their own. There are many different types of vehicles created over many different brands that go back decades in terms of the history that is behind them. Since most of us first heard about hybrids like the Toyota Prius that do not have a history that goes back nearly that long, this might come as a bit of a surprise. However, a large amount of that surprise should be alleviated once we start by giving the true definition for what a hybrid vehicle actually is.
Defining the hybrid concept:
Although all Toyota Prius hybrid products are indeed hybrid vehicles, the reverse is not the case. It is possible for something to be designed in a way that is completely different from the Prius yet still qualify as a hybrid and that is because of the definition of hybrid vehicles that is in use today.
This definition calls any vehicle a hybrid as long as it uses two distinct forms of power in order to provide locomotion to the vehicle. This means that any vehicle that powers your forward movement in at least two different ways could be called a hybrid vehicle. Although hybrid electric vehicles like the Toyota Prius are the most common types of hybrids that are built today, you can definitely take a look around and see many non-electric hybrid vehicles in use today.