The ID.ERA is a concept for a large electric SUV with a range extender for the Chinese market.
VW’s Scout brand has already confirmed a gasoline range extender for its truck and SUV.
This comes as EV mandates are being rolled back around the globe.
After Stellantis and BMW, Volkswagen is now considering adding a range extender to some of its electric vehicles in North America and Europe, according to sources cited by Automotive News.
Range-extended EVs (REEVs) feature a small gasoline engine that is used to provide electric power once the battery has been depleted, making it possible to drive long distances without having to stop for a charge when it isn’t convenient.
REEVs are not considered hybrid models since their combustion engine never directly powers the vehicle down the road. Propulsion is instead achieved via electric motors at all times. Their electric range is also significantly higher than that of conventional plug-in hybrids, but usually not quite as high as that of a comparable EV.
While Volkswagen doesn’t currently sell any vehicle that combines combustion and electric power in North America, it has access to range extender technologies thanks to its Chinese operations and its upcoming Scout Motors Division.
Scout Terra concept | Photo: Scout MotorsIndeed, range-extended electric vehicles are very popular in China, and the German automaker unveiled earlier this year a new concept that features this technology.
The ID.ERA is a vision of what an upcoming mid-size electric SUV could look like, and its boxy body shell hides the first implementation of a range extender from Volkswagen. No technical details are known at the moment.
Closer to home, the upcoming Scout Division, which will manufacture and sell rugged electric pickups and SUVs in North America starting in 2027, has already confirmed that both of its models will be available with the “Harvester” range extender.
While we don’t know much about this future powertrain either, we know it will be a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder that could be sourced from Volkswagen.
It is likely then that it is this powertrain that could be installed in other Volkswagen or Audi-branded electric models in the United States and Canada later in the decade.
Volkswagen Unveils ID. AURA, ID. ERA, and ID. EVO Concepts at Auto Shanghai
REEVs are seen as a missing step between gasoline or traditional hybrid models and fully electric vehicles, potentially attracting buyers who aren’t quite yet ready to buy an EV due to either range anxiety or actual needs.
Since the popularity of electric vehicles decreased significantly over the year, and environmental regulations have been rolled back all around the world, the door seems wide open for plug-in hybrids and range-extended EVs for the coming years.
Volkswagen said that customer demand will dictate whether it expands range-extended electric powertrains to its other brands in Europe and North America, but its upcoming SSP platform has been engineered to accommodate a combustion range extender.
This platform is expected to arrive in 2029, so we aren’t likely to see REEV Volkswagen’s and Audis before then at least.
Source: Automotive News
