Extended range electric vehicles are a form of hybrid electric vehicle, as described below:
1. Working principle: The core of an extended range electric vehicle is that its internal combustion engine is not directly driving the vehicle, but is used to drive the generator, which in turn charges the battery. The battery supplies power to the electric motor, which drives the wheels to travel. This design enables extended range electric vehicles to operate in pure electric mode when the battery is fully charged. When the battery is low, the engine starts to generate electricity, providing power to the battery and electric motor, thereby extending the vehicle's range.
2. Technical features: Extended range electric vehicles belong to series plug-in hybrid power systems, which are relatively simple and have only one power transmission path, namely engine power generation, battery energy storage, and electric motor driven wheels. This design simplifies the transmission system, reduces the failure rate, and improves the reliability of the system.
3. Market positioning and advantages: Extended range electric vehicles occupy a unique position in the new energy market. They not only have the zero emissions and low energy consumption advantages of pure electric vehicles, but also solve the range anxiety problem of pure electric vehicles through internal combustion engine power generation. For areas where charging facilities are not yet complete, extended range electric vehicles provide a more flexible travel solution. Meanwhile, for car companies, the manufacturing cost of extended range electric vehicles is relatively low, which helps alleviate financial pressure.
Extended range electric vehicles do belong to a form of hybrid electric vehicle, which combines internal combustion engine power generation with electric motor drive to achieve a perfect balance between high efficiency and long range.