Range extender

The range extender system (sometimes called EREV or REEV) is a system that uses a small gasoline engine.

System

The engine of a range extender car

The range extender uses a combustion engine as a generator to recharge an electric motor when it runs out of power. Unlike a gasoline engine, it has no connection to the wheels, nor is the drivetrain purely electric. The system is divided as follows:

Procedure

Logo REEV
  • Pure Electric Drive: The car draws energy directly from the battery recharged at the charging station. Driving is silent, smooth, and produces zero local emissions.
  • Critical Threshold: When the battery harge drops below a certain percentage (for example 20-25%), the control unit automatically starts the internal combustion engine.
  • Power Generation: The gasoline engine runs at a constant, optimized rpm. It drives an alternator/generator that produces electricity.
  • Continuous Power Supply: The generated current is sent to the battery to maintain a stable charge or transmitted directly to the electric motor to move the vehicle.

Let's take an example: Hyundai will put the first range extender cars on the market in 2027, the models that will be made are the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Genesis GV70.

Story

The history of the range extender began in 1901, when Ferdinand Porsche created a Porsche. In the modern era, we can mention the Chevrolet Volt and the BMW i3.

  1. ↑ Redazione (2024-10-03). "Le auto elettriche a benzina, cosa sono le Range Extender?". L'Automobile (in Italian). Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  2. ↑ Redazione (2024-10-03). "Le auto elettriche a benzina, cosa sono le Range Extender?". L'Automobile (in Italian). Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  3. ↑ Redazione (2024-10-03). "Le auto elettriche a benzina, cosa sono le Range Extender?". L'Automobile (in Italian). Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  4. ↑ Redazione (2024-10-03). "Le auto elettriche a benzina, cosa sono le Range Extender?". L'Automobile (in Italian). Retrieved 2026-07-10.