Comment Re:Real advantage is the assist, not the braking. (Score 1) 32
The major advantage is being able to use an engine that's worthless for acceleration, e.g. Atkinson cycle. All ICEs are most efficient at a specific point on the torque/RPM chart so that's not the differentiator.
Regen braking is the biggest benefit in the city. It's essentially irrelevant everywhere else, but whether it matters most or not depends on where you're driving.