Range extender

This article is about the vehicle. For devices that extend wireless networks, see wireless repeater.
"EREV" redirects here. For the novel by Eli Schechtman, see Erev.
A prototype AC Propulsion tzero electric car with an external range-extender or genset trailer, 1999

A range extender is a fuel-based auxiliary power unit (APU) that extends the range of a battery electric vehicle by driving an electric generator that charges the vehicle's battery. This arrangement is known as a series hybrid drivetrain. The most commonly used range extenders are internal combustion engines, but fuel-cells or other engine types can be used.[1]

Range extender vehicles are also referred to as extended-range electric vehicles (EREV), range-extended electric vehicles (REEV), and range-extended battery-electric vehicle (BEVx) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).[2]

Many range extender vehicles, including the Chevrolet Volt and the BMW i3, both of which have been discontinued, are able to charge their batteries from the grid as well as from the range extender, and therefore are a type of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).[3][4] Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), mild hybrids (MHEV), and most PHEV are primarily powered by combustion (with bigger engines and fuel tanks and smaller batteries and electric motors), while range-extended electric vehicles are the opposite.[5]

  1. ^ Harrop, Peter (2015-03-13). "Hybrid vehicle range extenders: goodbye pistons". IDTechEx. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference BEVx was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Matthe, Roland; Eberle, Ulrich (2014-01-01). "The Voltec System – Energy Storage and Electric Propulsion". Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference EREV was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Pavlik, Tina (2023-05-07). "Are Hybrids and EVs With Range Extenders the Same Thing?". MotorBiscuit. Retrieved 2024-03-12.