Utility vehicle with parallel operated internal combustion engine and electric motor drivetrains

A utility vehicle comprising:

• an internal combustion engine that drives a first set of wheels;
• an electric motor that drives a second set of wheels, wherein the first and second sets of wheels are different;
• an accelerator pedal;
• a position sensor that measures a position of the accelerator pedal;
• a motor control module that controls the electric motor based on the measured position of the accelerator pedal;
• a throttle linkage that mechanically connects the accelerator pedal to a throttle valve of the internal combustion engine and that actuates the throttle valve as the accelerator pedal is actuated;
• a starter/generator unit;
• a battery pack electrically connected to the starter/generator unit;
• a first axle structured and operable to drive the first set of wheels;
• an axle pulley that is attached to the first axle and rotates with the first axle;
• a starter pulley that is attached to a shaft of the starter/generator unit and rotates with the shaft of the starter/generator unit;
• and
• a coupling device structured and operable to drive the starter pulley, starter shaft and starter/generator unit in response to rotation of the first axle and axle pulley generated via torque output by the internal combustion engine such that the starter/generator unit generates electrical power for charging the battery pack.