Which type of vehicle operates using a battery-powered electric motor combined with a liquid-fuelled engine?

The correct choice is hybrid, which describes a vehicle that utilizes both a battery-powered electric motor and a liquid-fueled internal combustion engine. This combination allows hybrid vehicles to benefit from the efficiencies of electric power for short distances or low speeds while still having the power and range that a liquid-fueled engine provides for longer trips or higher performance needs.

Hybrids can switch between the electric and gasoline engine based on driving conditions, which often results in better fuel economy and lower emissions compared to traditional gasoline-only vehicles. This dual power approach is a pivotal aspect of hybrid technology, distinguishing it from fully electric vehicles, which rely solely on electric motors, and liquid-fuel engines, which do not utilize any electric components.

Fuel cell vehicles, while they can be classified under alternative fuel methods, specifically use hydrogen to generate electricity rather than combining fuel types like hybrids do. Alternative fuel is a broader category that encompasses various types of fuels such as biofuels, natural gas, and hydrogen, but does not specifically indicate the combination of electric and liquid fuels intrinsic to hybrids.