Detroit enthusiasm for EREV grows

Two of the so-called ‘Detroit Three, Ford and Stellantis, are looking to increase their extended range EV (EREV) product offering as US automakers anticipate that lingering range anxiety concerns will continue to retard the country’s switch to pure BEVs in favour of various hybrid technologies.

EREVs are fully electric in the drivetrain, but also have a small ICE that can be used to recharge the vehicle’s battery, giving the extended range in the name.

Stellantis has long trailed that it will be launching an EREV version of its Ram 1500 pick-up next year, following the launch of a BEV version. But CEO Carlos Tavares revealed late last month that his firm is “going to bring the range extender versions both for the Ram Charger but also for some Jeep Wagoneer applications”.

“They will represent the perfect combination of the best worlds — a very significant range for those who want to enjoy long trips and at the same time the capability to use zero emission mobility for smaller trips on the day-by-day commuting,” Tavares says.

Also on board

And it is not just Stellantis that is feeling more enthusiastic about EREVs. “We want to be a first adopter to an EREV or whatever is next on partial electrification because we want to be first and best at the choice,” says Jim Farley, CEO of Ford.

“Early majority customers are really different than the early adopters, particularly in retail, and we see a lot more openness to hybrids and extended range electric vehicles we call EREVs,” Farley continues.

Ford has an EREV version of its hugely popular Transit van available to order both in North America and Europe, although first deliveries may not be until next year. But it has no yet offered details on further EREV products.

What of GM, the third member of the Detroit trio? In its recent Q2 results, the firm made no mention of EREVs. But we do know that it is working on a pivot away from a previous all-in on BEVs strategy to one that embraces hybrids, and that GM was in fact once a pioneer of EREVs with its Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR.

So it will be worth keeping an eye on what role EREV might play in this GM strategic pivot, as well as watching for further product announcements from Ford and Stellantis too.