I would be really excited to see this approach work out. Without running the numbers, I'd be surprised if the emissions per mile for the coal fired electricity generation required to recharge are greater than the ICE puts out. It also opens up opportunities to utilize green power for use in practical transportation.

For me, I'd like to see a primarily electric car, with 50-100 mile range on the batteries, but with a small ICE capable of keeping the batteries charged up on longer trips. It seems that if the ICE is tasked only with charging the batteries, it would be able to run constantly in a very efficient power range. In addition, it would simplify the drive train considerably.