Plug-in hybrids, or hybrids that can run entirely off electricity for at least a short distance,
are being turned to by many automakers as the future of the North American market.

Recent radical shifts in consumer demand brought on by high fuel prices have automakers
scrambling to find a fuel-efficient powertrain for the next generation of vehicles.

Adoption of hybrid technologies by automakers is growing, but many manufacturers are seeking to improve upon this by introducing lines of vehicles that can meet the average American’s daily driving needs (about 40 miles) without using any gasoline at all.

A plug-in hybrid vehicle charges a large battery pack through a household outlet, typically overnight. This will provide enough power for a typical day’s driving. When
the battery is exhausted, the vehicle’s internal combustion engine starts. A plug-in "full’ hybrid then uses this power
to recharge the batteries and propel the vehicle, while a plug-in "series" hybrid uses the gasoline engine
exclusively as a generator.