I DID read the article and
I DID read the article and think this could still be used in combination with hybrid technology to extend the fuel efficiency even higher. For instance, and excellent application would be a hybrid arrangement that would apply the electric drive as a booster to the ICE engine to reduce the load on the ICE engine during acceleration and startup, thus reducing emissions and consumption, then switch off when the engine is under a fairly stable load and operating at peak efficiency. Using such a combination would allow a high torque electric motor to bear the brunt of bring a loaded pickup up to speed, for instance, without sacrificing fuel economy. Or, this motor could be used as a range extender for a fully electric vehicle like the unit used on the Audi A1 Etron, a small unit to run a generator under a stead load while the actual propulsion is handled by an electric motor.