Article: 5 things you need to know about green cars

[TEG]

5 things you need to know about green cars | MNN - Mother Nature Network

 

[JRod0802]

[When the batteries run out in PHEVs] The gas engine either drives the wheels as in standard hybrids (the plug-in Prius) or acts as a generator (the Volt and Karma) to deliver another 300 miles of travel.

Is this true? I thought the gas engine directly drove the wheels in the Volt and Karma.

 

[Doug_G]

Is this true? I thought the gas engine directly drove the wheels in the Volt and Karma.

The Karma is a serial hybrid; the motor only charges the battery.

The Volt is a bit more complicated. In some driving modes the motor directly drives the wheels, but at other times it's a serial hybrid.