3rd sentence: It is a fully electric car with the security blanket of a gas-powered generator to charge the battery. So not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly drives the wheels.
running generator to charge battery to drive the wheels is somehow better than just driving wheels directly
In some ways it is, yes. The engine design is not the same, it doesn't need gearbox, variable power output etc to charge battery. In some ways it can be more efficient.
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3rd sentence: It is a fully electric car with the security blanket of a gas-powered generator to charge the battery. So not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly drives the wheels.
You are describing what the Volt was doing back in 2011
Indeed. This headline had me feel like I was taking crazy pills. As far as I can tell, this is in no way, shape or form a "New Idea".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt_(first_generati...
2 things can be true: the 2011 Volt would be classified as an EREV, and "your average hybrid" would not.
No, this design is not totally new. Despite the article implying this.
Diesel electric locomotives have been using this concept since the 1930s or 1940s.
Also the Nazi's Maus tank/armoured vehicle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_VIII_Maus
somehow it makes you think that running generator to charge battery to drive the wheels is somehow better than just driving wheels directly :)
"not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly..."
In some ways it is, yes. The engine design is not the same, it doesn't need gearbox, variable power output etc to charge battery. In some ways it can be more efficient.
The Prius isn't really using a gearbox in the conventional sense either, it's much simpler.