Andy Champ wrote:
On 31/12/2011 11:26, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

I don't know where you've been, but lots of conventional IC engined cars
now use their alternator to store energy when slowing.

No they dont.

BMW call it "Efficient Dynamics". I suspect it makes F-all difference
though - just takes a little load off the engine while under load,
rather than storing it to accelerate with.

yep. the dynamo and and water pump used to take about 30% of the car
engine's power before the days of alternators electric fans and so on.

Now its the power steering pump and the air con instead :-)

Andy