> One automaker, I forget who, was researching doing a hybrid drive train like the volt had, but where the engine could run in that one single speed and charge

> One automaker, I forget who, was researching doing a hybrid drive train like the volt had, but where the engine could run in that one single speed and charge a battery Not sure if this is what you're thinking of but Honda's eHEV platform drives the wheels with an electric motor and small battery†, with the engine kicking in as needed to generate current and to charge the battery (as well as regen). †Until you get to high speeds, at which point a clutch engages and the engine drives the wheels directly, via a single fixed gear.