prius as nissan note e-power

The car can do almost any combination but it can't actually do what you are thinking. A recent Honda hybrid will operate in that manner most of the time, eg the engine drives a generator which provides electricity to the electric motor with a battery as a buffer.

With a normal Toyota hybrid, you can drive by electric motor only for a short distance at low speed (maybe 1 mile at 20mph) unless its downhill or you are coasting. A Prime version is different with a bigger battery capable of being charged from the grid. The Prime can run at freeway speeds for 20-40 miles depending on the model. Perhaps the best is a Rav4 Prime hybrid, 300 hp total and 40 miles ev.

The normal Toyota hybrid gas engine is often charging while also proving mechanical power to the wheels. While the car is generating electrical power in regen, such as when braking, coasting or going downhill, some of the generated power can go to the battery and some to the second electric motor. Sometimes one motor generator is feeding the second motor generator.

A good resource for understanding a Toyota hybrid is Weber State videos on youtube. The transaxle has the electric motor/generators and is the part that is often misunderstood.

 

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