Full Hybrid
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A full hybrid, sometimes also called a 'strong' hybrid, is a vehicle that can run on either the gas engine, the electric motor, or a combination of both. At slow speeds, full hybrids are electric cars.
The Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid vehicles are good examples. Under 20 mph they can run on batteries and emit 0% smog as an electric vehicle. A large, high-capacity battery pack is needed for battery-only operation for higher speeds and/or longer distances.
These vehicles split power to allow more flexibility in the drivetrain by interconverting mechanical and electrical power, at some cost in complexity. To balance the forces from each portion, the vehicles use a differential-style linkage between the engine and motor connected to the head end of the transmission. The transmission is much more complex on full hybrids than normal gas cars or even mild hybrids.
