wow that's weird!

it would work in theory, but the motor is connected to the engine with a freakin' BELT!!! but that's nice. the page describes a PMDC motor/generator. the nice thing about these motors is that their torque is inversely proportional to their rotational speed. So IN THEORY, if you apply power CONTINUOUSLY to the motor, it will give a heck of a kick at low RPMs (where the gas engine sucks) and as motor speed increases, the motor's internal resistance goes up, up, and finally it becomes a generator. This is with no switching or electronic parts.

i think in order to save gas at idle, the motor should be clutched like the A/C compressor. but then again the clutch might be too heavy... pwede rin, ipa-freewheel nalang yung motor when it's not needed.