Comment by saltcured
4 days ago
I think the biggest reduction is that it essentially replaces the conventional transmission with the hybrid unit. (Planetary gear set and motor-generators.)
It drives like a CVT, but it is not a CVT in the sense people know as far as maintenance and reliability issues. It is just a "differential" and electric motor balancing out the ICE engine output to get a desired output drive effect.
This whole comment change is exactly what the video is about, how the Toyota hybrid system is actually a lot simpler than pure ICE, and mostly exists to make sure the ICE engine always runs at optimal efficiency