Regenerative braking?

[Yaris Revenge]

Originally Posted by nsmitchell

I think Bail Out said something quite good. Use batteries instead of air pressure. Replace the compressor with a DC motor that charges a high voltage battery(s). On takeoff the process would reverse, the battery would power the motor to assist acceleration. I don't know how much torque a belt could assist the engine with though. Maybe a belt and pully with teeth or something. Food for thought anyway.

Don't they already do that? They call it a Prius.

~YR