"funkyoldcortina" wrote in message
...
On 23/12/11 14:43, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In ,
wrote:

In the Toyota system, even at high speed it's possible to be
running on electric power alone

Thus draining the battery which has to be re-charged. Both quite
inefficient processes.

The battery can charge while the petrol engine is running - the engine
will run at an RPM suitable for maximum efficiency, not just enough RPM to
drive the wheels. "Spare" power at this RPM goes into recharging the
battery

Yep.