Reply #37: One is the same reason they were a bad idea for Tanks

[Paulie]

They consume quite a bit of fuel while idling so end up getting gallons per mile instead of miles per gallon if you are stuck in traffic for a while. :)

In this case though he's only using a turbine for short bursts to fill batteries. Still, wonder how noisy it is, and does it sound like the BatMobile when the batteries get low. Also, it's probably a small turbine at a relatively low RPM, don't want to have the generator go past its RPM limit either.

One of the awesome things about Toyota and their technology. The electric drive train is done, just need to change out the engine or go completely to batteries/capacitors. Or put in diesel, or a fuel cell. But the underling electric drive and energy management systems is where they are so far ahead of the US companies.