From the Wikipedia entry on Hybrid Vehicles:
Quote:
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle.[1] The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.
Power sources for hybrid vehicles include:
* On-board or out-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS)
* Petrol or Diesel fuel
* Hydrogen
* Compressed air
* Liquid nitrogen
* Human powered e.g. pedaling or rowing
* Wind
* Electricity
* Compressed or liquefied natural gas
* Solar
* Waste heat from internal combustion engine.
* Coal, wood or other solid combustibles
* Electromagnetic fields, Radio waves
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A diesel electric locomotive uses two of these energy sources: diesel and electricity. It has two power sources: diesel engine and electric motor. It uses them together to drive the train -- without either one, it would not work.
It combines two power sources i.e. it hybridizes two things for one purpose i.e. it is a hybrid.