So what is the hubbub all about? What makes these cars so special that South Park will devote an entire episode to them (and the people who drive them)? There are two types of hybrid vehicle: parallel and series. Both essentially function on the same principles, with only slight variations. Both are equally complicated, but here are the basics.
Parallel Hybrid
This type of design involves the two means of generating power: an engine fueled from a gas tank and an electric motor supplied by batteries that generally reside under the floorboards. Both connect autonomously to the transmission, which in turn propels the vehicle. The electric motor also functions as a generator that amasses excess energy derived from the heat of braking and returns it to recharge the batteries. The power to make the vehicle function comes from two independent sources (although not necessary equally), thus you have a parallel arrangement.
Series Type Hybrid
In this setup, you have one system affecting the other. The engine (also attached to a fuel tank) in this case powers a separate generator. The generator then employs the electric motor, which runs the transmission that drives the vehicle. The generator, much like with the parallel hybrid, also gathers and stores energy from the brakes and dumps it into the batteries to keep them fresh.
http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/hybrid-cars.php
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