1. Hybrid electric architectures

The simplest definition of a hybrid vehicle is one that uses two energy sources.

If we look at the different sources that can be combined to power a vehicle, we see everything from horsepower to electricity.

Given this definition, the first idea for a hybrid vehicle dates back to the 17th century in 1665, when Ferdinand Verbiest, a Jesuit priest, began work on plans for a four-wheeled vehicle that could be powered by steam or pulled by a horse. To this day, there is no evidence that his idea was ever put into practice.

A great deal of work was then done on steam on the one hand and electric on the other. In the end, it was electric power that defeated steam, before being dethroned by petroleum.

If we look for...