The post on the costs of the current hybrid car got me thinking this.
How about a diesel-electric car, like train locomotives are. In the car/truck a small diesel engine turns a generator that powers traction motors at drive wheels, such as front wheel drive or all wheels for all wheel drive. So a front wheel drive car will have two electric motors, one at each wheel. No transmission just direct drive from the electric motors.
Figure out what voltage is most efficient and the rpm of the engine increases or decreases with the draw of power off the generator.
Bet the car would quick as hell off the line.
C
