
Range anxiety is synomymous with electric vehicles (EV). This has resulted in many tongue-in-cheek comments as well as cartoon artists drawing pictures of electric vehicles towing petrol generators on wheels to supply electric power on the move. This problem is remedied in one fell swoop by range extenders. It’s an internal-combustion engine that, in combination with a generator, efficiently produces electric power.
The UK-based Hyperdrive has developed 15 kW petrol and diesel engines to fulfil the role of a range extender for EVs. These stand-alone units can be integrated into any existing EVs and add extra range cost-effectively (but in the process hurting their green credentials). Automakers have caught on to the idea and BMW will offer a 650 cm3, twin-cylinder petrol engine as an option on its new i3 EV when it is launched locally next year.