Pretty sure the engine still has pistons and cylinders :) Here's a nice page explaining the system -- a serial hybrid. https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/INNOVAT

Pretty sure the engine still has pistons and cylinders :) Here's a nice page explaining the system -- a serial hybrid. https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY/ARCHIVE/E_POWER/ https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/INNOVATION/TECHNOLOGY/ARCHI... According to the page, you can't plug in these vehicles, is that right? Chevy Volt was conceptualized as a serial hybrid iirc, but the engine drives the powertrain at higher speeds so it's not a pure serial hybrid. Mazda has a rotary engine based serial hybrid / range extender out or coming out too I believe.