High-drive vs. Low-Drive (A vs B, P vs N type)

[thomasonw]

A while ago (Yeaks, several years ago) while working on my DC generator controller the question came up:  What was the reason for so many High-Drive type alternators, esp given that from an electronics stand-point is is so much simpler to design around low-drive  (being able to use NPN trans or N-Channel FETs).  Today I think I might have come up with a reason:  Flyback

With high-drive config the flyback snubber directs the current into GND.  While with a low-drive deployment, that energy is routed into the + side of the battery - creating more line noise.

Seem plausible?