The Honda Insight is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system

From 1999 to 2006, the Insight relied on Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. The IMA system helped the electric motor to run start and stop sequences with the gas engine during certain driving conditions. This system also kept the hybrid battery charged by turning the engine into a generator.Thanks to this hybrid-wizardry, the Insight gets fuel averages of 40 mpg in the city and 43 on