Overview

A small internal combustion engine is used to drive a generator.

Diesel generators have been considered.

The generator will charge batteries and/or directly drive an electric motor, much the way a diesel-electric locomotive opperates. This will simplify the drivetrain since clutch and transmition are not critical.

The average power required to keep the vehicle moving is less than 10hp. As such an engine/gererator producing a nominal 10hp is required. Taking into consideration loss of efficiency for energy transfer, and the required power for acceleration, electric motors with peek hp of 15-20 hp would be needed.