The definition of a hybrid is
The definition of a hybrid is that of having two sources of energy. The volt is a hybrid, it's not an electric car. It has a gasoline engine and a battery pack with an electric motor. both gasoline engine and electric motor spin the wheels, therefore it is a hybrid, albeit, a great one.
Most dictionaries define hybrid power as suh:
"A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle.[1] The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors."
I've been covering electric cars and hybrids for 6 years and saw people getting confused right when some companies started calling plug-in hybrids electric cars. Why can't we call the Volt what it is, a great plugin hybrid? Is a plugin hybrid a bad thing all the sudden for GM? Then what do we call real electric cars? Plug in electric vehicles? It's silly and confuses people. Plus, when people start to see the differences it reinforces the negative image they have of the company, that same image it is trying to shed. It's a convoluted way to deal with something instead of just saying:"Hey guys, we have a great plugin hybrid that can go 40 miles or so on electricity alone".