>>Instead of utilizing a traditional internal combustion engine, hybrids convert gas to electricity that powers electric motors.

But that's not how Toyota hybrids work. The key is a transmission that allows power from either or both the electric motor and IC engine and directs power coming from the wheels during regenerative braking into the battery pack. Yes, energy that starts out in the ICE eventually ends up in the battery pack, but it doesn't work like, say, the Volt or an electromotive locomotive.

The Toyota plug-in hybrids keep the same arrangement but have large enough battery packs that they can go about 30 miles on a charge — and the ability to be externally charged.

As a sidenote, I had an early example (level 1 charging only) which was returning about 65MPG around town when off-battery. My guess is that this was thanks to the larger battery leading to more regenerative energy being captured. And I have to say, at 65MPG and the ability to run on battery for a short-ish commute, I had no urge to go out and buy an EV even when gas prices spiked.

Just my $0.02