You're right in that it is indeed more complex, especially since hybrids use electric propulsion almost all the time. My point was that, while operating in pure

You're right in that it is indeed more complex, especially since hybrids use electric propulsion almost all the time. My point was that, while operating in pure battery-electric mode, the engine and fuel are nonfunctional and must be dragged around. An engine driving an electric generator is indeed more efficient than a pure ICE drivetrain, but versus the potential efficiency of a pure-electric power source, that's why I said 'dragging the efficiency down'. I agree completely, hence my comment about them being a stopgap measure. Once pure-EVs are able to offer comparable range and charge time to a tank of fuel, hybrids will be consigned to history.