What's the difference between a "regular" hybrid car and a "plug-in" hybrid car?

The plug in can be charged at a charging station while the car is idle and parked; then one can go fully electric for a while without having the gas engine started. Since electricity is cheaper than gasoline, it makes running it a lot cheaper.

All hybrids have an electric motor and hefty battery (and a gasoline or diesel engine).

The regular model only charges while you’re driving around burning fuel.

@Call_Me_Jay Ah, so you typically don’t plug in a regular hybrid?

@2davidc8 Correct, you cannot plug in a regular hybrid. That’s why they specify “plug in” on the others. It’s an extra selling point.

A plug-in can be charged from a wall outlet (as well as from the running engine) whereas a regular hybrid gets it’s battery charged only from the running engine.

Got it! Thanks for your explanation! I had always thought that you could plug in a Prius.
Now, jellies, if you were to buy a hybrid, which kind would you prefer and why?

The previous responses are correct regarding the difference between a hybrid and a plugin hybrid.
Toyota also makes a plugin hybrid version of the Prius, so you were not mistaken.
My favorite plugin hybrid is currently the Chevy Volt, which gets approximately 52 miles on an electric charge, with a small internal combustion engine which will extend the range another 420 miles. As cars like the Chevy Bolt and Tesla Model 3, with an approximate all electric range of over 200 miles, begin to be released starting at the end of this year, I expect these kind of cars will overtake the idea of a plugin hybrid.

On a side note, I am really excited about a company called Envision Solar, who produces a stand-alone, offgrid, solar powered EV charging station. I truly believe this is the future of automobiles.

Thank you for your reply, @SquirrelEStuff. Is the Envision Solar charging station intended for ordinary consumers, or for businesses?

Due to its current price, it appears to be targeted more for businesses and municipalities, but as the costs of solar panels and batteries continue to drop, I can see them marketing to ordinary consumers, although it probably makes more sense to install solar panels on your home and use that energy production to charge your vehicles.