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AFAIK, the Chevrolet Volt (and Opel clone, etc) is the only one where the engine just charges the batteries, and the drive wheels are run by the electric motor alone.

From a technical standpoint, it's a good design for a hybrid - you can optimize each part of the system separately. But GM didn't quite get the car as a whole correct -- it has some ergonomic problems, priced higher than the value (perceived and actual) the customer got, and so on.



I actually checked before my comment. This article states that the combustion engine participates above 70 mph:

http://gm-volt.com/2010/10/11/motor-trend-explains-the-volts...

Maybe later models altered that arrangement.


^ - this. Volt fires up gas motor to optimum efficiency point to serve as a generator for the electric motor, which is the only motor connected to the drivetrain


>the electric motor… is the only motor connected to the drivetrain

This is a common misconception. The Volt will drive the wheels directly from the gasoline engine when driving at high speed (>70 mph).

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/10/the-great-chevy-v...




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