Arrangement for driving the generator of a vehicle, in particular a passenger automobile

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle drive including an engine, a transmission having an input and an output, and driving wheels coupled to the output of said transmission, said drive further including at least one clutch means for selectively coupling said engine to the input of said transmission;
• a generator, solely for providing current, including first and second counterrotating members having means responsive to the rotation of either member for generating current;
• first coupling means connecting said engine and the first member of said generator for rotating said first member in response to engine rotation;
• and
• second coupling means connecting said driving wheels and the second member of said generator for rotating said second member in response to rotation of said driving wheels or said engine, wherein said vehicle can assume at least a first operating state in which said engine rotates and said clutch means is disengaged while said driving wheels are stopped, and a second operating state in which said engine rotation is stopped and said clutch means is disengaged while said driving wheels are rotating, and wherein said generator is driven if either said engine or driving wheels, or both, are rotating so as to be driven in both of said vehicle operating states.