Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprising a source of rotational energy, a flywheel, continuously variable transmission apparatus comprising first and second drive terminals, and apparatus for selectable coupling of the variable transmission apparatus and the source of rotational energy to said flywheel and drive wheels in a vehicle and including first apparatus for coupling in a first mode of operation, the flywheel and the source of rotational energy to the first drive terminal, and the second drive terminal to the drive wheels of a vehicle, and second apparatus for coupling in a second mode of operation, the flywheel to the second drive terminal, the rotational energy source and the first drive terminal to the drive wheels, and control apparatus for governing the operation of the continuously variable transmission apparatus and the operation of the source of rotational energy and being capable of independent control of the speed of the flywheel and of the source of rotational energy.