[backwoods-engineer]

No, thank you. If they had put in a diesel engine running at a constant RPM, driving a generator, which then drove electric motor on all 4 wheels via power electronics, then MAYBE. That, at least, you could fuel up in a reasonable time at a gas station. And, the torque of electric motors is unbelievable, even at 0 RPM.

But with a BATTERY? That takes HOURS to charge? And has less than 200 miles range (less in cold WX)? NO THANKS!

[Joe 6-pack]

If the British have made a breakthrough in electronic car technology it probably involves pioneering efforts in finding a way to make a lithium ion battery drip oil on your driveway.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

I believe that the motor torque is only unbelievable from a battery. These batteries supply unbelievable levels of current, at least for a while. Generators, not so much.

[TexasGator]

“But with a BATTERY? That takes HOURS to charge? “

Most charging is done at night while sleeping. But if needed, Tesla batteries can charge 200 miles range in 15 minutes.

[ByteMercenary]

You have described exactly how the general public will eventually accept ‘electric’ vehicles - a small diesel or ICE driving an onboard generator which powers electric motor driven wheels and charges a small battery for the auto electronics.

The big stumbling block for many is the recharge time and range. A 5 minute fill-up compared to an 8 hour plug-in recharge is a deal breaker. With a hybrid arrangement like this range is not an issue.

At this time I thing only Toyota offers a configuration that approaches this solution but I expect other vehicle makers to offer this as well.

[Olog-hai]

Sounds like what the railroads have been running since the 1930s.

[Moltke]

the torque of electric motors is unbelievable, even at 0 RPM.

Not "even" at 0 RPM - that is where electric cars develop their peak torque.

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1111678_how-do-electric-cars-produce-maximum-torque-instantly