I am sure there is a simple explanation (and please keep it simple) but the idea is to replace the gas motor on an electrical generator with a high efficiency electric motor then to repeat in series with 2 generators running on the electricity produced from the first generator then 4 then 8 etc. R.e. a 5 h.p electric motor runs the first generator which has an output high enough to run 2 generators etc etc.It sounds so simple i am sure there is a reason it won't work.

You will always have losses: friction, heating, etc. Each Watt of output of one motor will generate less than a Watt of electrical power in the generator.

Your generator will not be able to power the next 2 electric engines. In reality, it will be able to power <1 electric engine.

 

So, your electric engine can power the generator.

The next generator will make enough electricity to run 0.9 electric engine (connected to the next generator)

The next generator will make enough electricity to run 0.81 electric engine (connected to the next generator)

The next generator will make enough electricity to run 0.73 electric engine (connected to the next generator)

The next generator will make enough electricity to run 0.66 electric engine (connected to the next generator)

The next generator will make enough electricity to run 0.59 electric engine (connected to the next generator)

etc.

 

Even the highest efficient systems will never be more than 1.

From an earlier post:-

To put it at its simplest, the more power you take from an alternator the harder it is to turn. The power you put into turning it will always be greater than the power got from it.