No the gasoline engine, very small in size, is being used to turn an alternator which recharges the batteries when they reach a certain discharge point. So it only runs occasionally and not for very long at a time. The car is being driven by electric motors run off the battery. A battery than can also be charged off a charger when available, such as overnight. Very similar to electro-diesel locomotives.
If you are using any batteries or external power supply it is not all like a diesel/electric locomotive in concept or design.