[dcb]

look, electric has nothing to do with what I'm asking, it only clouds the issue into an incomprehendable mess (i.e. what about well to wheels?!? electric motors are NOT always running at 90% either, they are rpm and load sensitive too. Of course batteries and controllers are not always operating at peak either).

The main question IMHO is the efficiency of the ICE engine and transmission, and since I'm quite happy with a chain and sprocket which has been clocked at 98% efficient for my target speed, how can an ICE running a generator running a controller running a motor (running a gear reduction) possibly compete?

I personally don't use the brakes on the hiway enough to make a difference. Brakes are a waste of energy, even with regen.

I don't buy the 80mpg figure, they didn't offer any explanations of their "translation", I CAN'T make it add up because it makes zero sense to me, the way overunity does.