There’s an analogy to that in getting old, I suspect.
It’s not an analogy. That’s what it’s called in the engineering world and is an accurate technical description. But it doesn’t roll off consumer tongues like “hybrid,” so the marketers went with “hybrid.” Besides, “hybrid” fits on the little chrome badge affixed to the rear of the car.A “Regeneratively Braked Green Vehicle” badge would take up the entire width of the teeny car hatchback.