A system for operating a hybrid vehicle, said system comprising: a chargeable energy storage device for storing electrical energy; a single dynamo configured to operate in a motor mode for propelling the vehicle, and operate in a generator mode for charging the energy storage device; an engine configured to operate at an engine speed; and a torque coupling device configured to variably couple the engine to the dynamo, wherein said system is configured to (a) operate in a first mode wherein the dynamo is coupled to the energy storage device to operate the dynamo in the motor mode for propelling the vehicle, the engine is not operated, and the engine is not coupled to the dynamo, (b) operate in a second mode wherein the dynamo is coupled to the energy storage device to operate the dynamo in the motor mode for propelling the vehicle, and the dynamo is coupled to the engine such that the engine is motored by the dynamo for starting the engine, (c) operate in a third mode wherein the dynamo is coupled to the energy storage device to operate the dynamo in the motor mode for propelling the vehicle, and the engine is operated at an engine speed less than a speed threshold whereby the engine does not propel the vehicle, and (d) operate in a fourth mode wherein the engine is operated at an engine speed equal to or greater than the speed threshold, for propelling the vehicle, wherein the torque coupling device comprises: a clutching means operable to an engaged state whereby torque is transferred through the clutching means, and operable to a disengaged state whereby no torque is transferred through the clutching means, and a planetary gear set interposed between the dynamo and the engine, characterized in that the torque coupling unit further comprises: a second directional clutch coupling the engine to the clutching means such that when the dynamo is rotating, the engine is not operating, and the clutching means is in the disengaged state, then the second mode of operation is initiated by operating the clutching means to the engaged state so the engine is motored by the dynamo; wherein said planetary gear set comprises a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier of planetary gears, wherein the sun gear is coupled to the dynamo, the carrier is coupled to the second directional clutch, the ring gear is coupled the clutching means; and wherein the clutching means is configured to hold the ring gear still when the clutching means is operated to the engaged state. a chargeable energy storage device for storing electrical energy; a single dynamo configured to operate in a motor mode for propelling the vehicle, and operate in a generator mode for charging the energy storage device; an engine configured to operate at an engine speed; and a torque coupling device configured to variably couple the engine to the dynamo, wherein said system is configured to (a) operate in a first mode wherein the dynamo is coupled to the energy storage device to operate the dynamo in the motor mode for propelling the vehicle, the engine is not operated, and the engine is not coupled to the dynamo, (b) operate in a second mode wherein the dynamo is coupled to the energy storage device to operate the dynamo in the motor mode for propelling the vehicle, and the dynamo is coupled to the engine such that the engine is motored by the dynamo for starting the engine, (c) operate in a third mode wherein the dynamo is coupled to the energy storage device to operate the dynamo in the motor mode for propelling the vehicle, and the engine is operated at an engine speed less than a speed threshold whereby the engine does not propel the vehicle, and (d) operate in a fourth mode wherein the engine is operated at an engine speed equal to or greater than the speed threshold, for propelling the vehicle, wherein the torque coupling device comprises: a clutching means operable to an engaged state whereby torque is transferred through the clutching means, and operable to a disengaged state whereby no torque is transferred through the clutching means, and a planetary gear set interposed between the dynamo and the engine, a second directional clutch coupling the engine to the clutching means such that when the dynamo is rotating, the engine is not operating, and the clutching means is in the disengaged state, then the second mode of operation is initiated by operating the clutching means to the engaged state so the engine is motored by the dynamo; wherein said planetary gear set comprises a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier of planetary gears, wherein the sun gear is coupled to the dynamo, the carrier is coupled to the second directional clutch, the ring gear is coupled the clutching means; and wherein the clutching means is configured to hold the ring gear still when the clutching means is operated to the engaged state.