[Dr. Sivana]

The first 40 miles are electric and afterwards it uses a regular gas engine and gas tank to go farther.

The electric motor is still moving the car. A smaller gasoline engine moves the generator, so it is not a Prius style hybrid.

[Charles Martel]

The electric motor is still moving the car. A smaller gasoline engine moves the generator, so it is not a Prius style hybrid.

If VIA is basing these trucks on the Volt, it's likely that there is in fact a mechanical linkage between the gasoline engine and the drivetrain. The original description of the Volt's configuration was less than accurate (while Lutz was still at GM, I believe).