German automotive supplier ZF plans to introduce its latest generation extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain as consumer demand soars for the super-hybrid technology.
The company responds with a new gasoline-fed generator system, due to come to market next year, that it claims will offer 400V and 800V systems boasting outputs of up to 1478 hp) and 201 hp, respectively, and able to provide ranges of up to 435 miles (700 km) between refueling/charging.
ZF’s move comes as automakers in China, the world’s biggest battery-electric-vehicle market, see both domestic and foreign manufacturers rushing to meet growing consumer demand for the technology.
Industry watchers say both EREVs and plug-in hybrid-powered vehicles (PHEVs) grew faster than BEVs in the China market last year, pushing the whole electrified sector to about half of all new cars sold, according to data from the China Passenger Car Assn., Reuters reports.
EREV sales jumped 79% to 1.2 million vehicles and PHEVs soared 76% to 3.4 million, while BEV sales grew 23% to 6.3 million units.
At last week’s Shanghai Auto Show, Volkswagen revealed plans for a new vehicle platform for full BEVs and EREVs as part of an effort to reverse its slowing sales in China. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius called hybrids “definitely a trend in China,” predicting they would “coexist with battery-electric vehicles for a longer period of time.”
Stellantis’ joint venture partner, Leapmotor, is launching four EREV models, or what it calls range-extended electric vehicles (REEV), kicking off with its C10 REEV SUV already trading in Europe.
According to data from research firm Jato Dynamics, automakers in China launched 16 new EREVs and 37 new PHEVs in 2024, compared to 32 BEV models.
Forecasts provided to Reuters by one major automaker anticipate EREVs and PHEVs hybrids will together account for about 35% of sales in China compared to about 45% for BEVs.
ZF’s senior vice-president for R&D says consumers globally harbor range anxiety that “still influences a wide range of buyers when choosing their next vehicle,” especially in nations where the public charging infrastructure is inadequate for their needs.
Range extender powertrains “represent a real alternative to larger – and thus more expensive – batteries or plug-in hybrids.”
