The scope for innovation in the electric vehicle range extender sector is vast. New technologies from manufacturers in Europe that extend the range of electric vehicles are poised to transformation this part of the market.
Innovative solutions are based on reducing the overall impact of carbon emissions on the environment along with providing convenience for EV owners.
The demand for such solutions is estimated to increase in the coming years.
The global EV range extender market is forecast to reach $1.67 billion by 2026, according to a report published by Allied Market Research.
The European market for EV range extenders is estimated to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6 percent by 2026.
Launching new EVs and equipping them with range extenders. Manufacturers have been bringing innovative technologies of range extenders through their own patented technologies.
Tevva, a UK-based maker of zero-emissions trucks, launched electric truck equipped with hydrogen-powered range extender.
The all-electric range is capable of taking the truck up to 250 km, with the range extender adding anothert 500 km. Its patented range extender technology utilizes hydrogen fuel cells for extending the range of EV battery.
These cells can recharge the battery on the run to enable trucks to carry out long duty cycles and high load-carrying capacities.
Along with extending the range of electric trucks, manufacturers in the automotive industry have been bringing innovative solutions to recreational vehicles.
As there is a requirement of long battery life for the long range that needs to be covered for recreational vehicles, it is difficult to equip them with huge battery capacity. German manufacturer Knaus Tabbert has created an innovative solution to extend the range.
The company increases the range of electric recreational vehicles with the help of rotary power. It launched E.Power Drive concept for its Knaus Van Ti 650 MEG Vansation. This vehicle is powered by 241-hp electric motor and contains 35 kWh battery.
It can travel up to 90 km. When it runs out of charge, a three-rotor Wankel engine comes into the picture to extend the range. The engine can recharge the battery and offer power to electric drive motor.
Though a wall charger takes nearly three hours to replenish the battery fully, the rotary assisted technology reduces that to 35 minutes.
The rotary engine also takes less space and easy to assemble. The innovative utilization by the German manufacturers opens up new possibilities for range extension in electric vehicles.
