[ELI5] Why do hybrid vehicles charge the battery using the engine?

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In hybrid vehicles, I know the battery can be recharged using regenerative braking, but I also see them sometimes recharge the battery using the engine directly. Why would they do this? It seems like it would be better to use the motor just to move the vehicle. Why go gas -> engine -> battery -> wheels?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Because if they didn’t the battery would always be drained and there would be no benefit to driving a hybrid.

Gasoline engines aren’t very efficient, so sacrificing a little bit of efficiency to keep the battery charged doesn’t cost very much, and it enables the overall – much more efficient – hybrid system to function.

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