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While hybrid-electric drivesystems have the potential to substantially improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance, the extent of the fuel savings is highly dependent on component optimization within the system. Effectively optimized components require the drivesystem designer to understand component trade-offs and to supply the component developers with sufficient information to optimize their designs. Without a systems approach to all levels of drivesystem design-and, clearly, of vehicle design as well-components will tend to either be substantially oversized and inefficient or provide compromised vehicle performance. Component specifications typically include power requirements, such as would be needed to provide adequate starting torque, gradability, acceleration, and braking.