3rd sentence: It is a fully electric car with the security blanket of a gas-powered generator to charge the battery. So not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly drives the wheels.
No, this design is not totally new. Despite the article implying this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt_(first_generati...
"not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly..."
In some ways it is, yes. The engine design is not the same, it doesn't need gearbox, variable power output etc to charge battery. In some ways it can be more efficient.