The article says that the engine does not drive the wheels …so does that not mean that it is not like a typical hybrid and more like a diesel electric loco. ....
That's right Rupert. Just like a railway engine but with a battery in the way. ....
If this was a locomotive, it would indeed be labeled as a hybrid. Railpower Technologies made a similar (in concept) locomotive: it had a 300 hp Cummings diesel that only charged the large bank of batteries. The locomotive was rated at 2,000 hp for traction, all from the batteries.
Railpower is no longer, whether due to poor technology and/or finances, I do not know. The current flavor is genset technology, were there are multiple low HP engines that come on/off as demand warrants. Interesting to see that the railways have shied away from the battery power types. May say something about the ability of batteries to last under very harsh conditions.
Semantics aside, I too was wondering how it would do on hills. I look forward to seeing a full road test sometime in the next 12 months.