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and the engine is connected to the planet carrier. The speed of the ring gear depends on all three components, so they all have to work together at all times to control the output speed. " (http://auto.howstuffworks.com /hybrid-car7.htm)

When you accelerate, the electric motor and batteries provide all of the initial power. As the car accelerates, the generator spins at whatever speed it needs to...to keep the engine off. Once you reach about 40 mph the gas engine will turn on. Once the engine is running, it uses a constant speed while the generator varies its speed to match the output speed with the electric motor. If you are accelerating hard, the motor will draw extra power from the batteries. Once up to highway speed, the car will use a combination of gas and electric power with all of the electricity coming from the generator. The Prius never needs to be recharged. The onboard generator automatically keeps the batteries charged. The Prius has an 8 year-100,000-mile warranty on the battery and hybrid systems. The motors and batteries usually don't require any maintenance over the life of the car.

Sources..
How Hybrids work...http://www.fueleconomy. gov/Feg/hybridtech.shtml
How Hybrid cars work...http://www.howstuffwork s.com/hybrid-car.htm
http://www .hybridcenter.org/hybrid-cente r-how-hybrid-cars-work-under-t he-hood.html
http://www.hybrid- car.org/hybrid-cars-work.html

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