In March 2018, the ideal brand's first model road test spy photo was exposed, and the biggest highlight of this car came from the use of range extender hybrid. Although the extender hybrid was not invented by the ideal, it is indeed the ideal that brings it into the vision of Chinese consumers. Although range-extended hybrid is not a new technology, it was still relatively rare in the domestic new energy market at that time, and due to some drawbacks of this power system, it was not optimistic about the outside world at that time. With the maturity of the domestic new energy market, the extender hybrid is gradually accepted by consumers, which can be seen from the market sales of the ideal ONE. Due to the unique advantages of range extender hybrid, it not only solves the anxiety of mileage, but also enjoys the treatment of new energy models in many cities. So, since the market has accepted this form of power, why are so few manufacturers willing to produce it?
1. Developing a new platform is time-consuming and expensive
In fact, a large part of the reason why car companies choose to develop pure electric vehicle models is because the fuel vehicle platform and the electric vehicle platform can be universal, which is what we call oil to electricity. For example, bydir Han, Nissan Xuanyi, BMW iX3, etc., which we are familiar with, are all developed based on the fuel vehicle platform. In addition, for the new forces of car manufacturing, it is easier to build a pure electric vehicle platform than the fuel vehicle platform, after all, the requirements of electric vehicles on the layout of chassis parts are not particularly high, so it is easier to achieve development and mass production.
For range-extended electric vehicles, although the platform development is not as complex as the pure electric vehicle platform, because it is necessary to install range extenders (engine + generator), battery packs and battery management systems at the same time, the layout of the chassis is more complicated than that of "oil to electricity" models. Moreover, the extended range model needs to redesign the vehicle's cooling system, electronic control efficiency, NVH, etc., which requires a lot of money and time accumulation to complete.
2, fuel economy performance is not good
For a long time, the self-owned brand has been trying to better adjust the engine and gearbox to ensure driving comfort and smoothness. On this basis, the extender model also adds a generator to complete a better fit between the three, so this work is more difficult than imagined. The most criticized place of the extender model is that its energy consumption loss during the power transmission process is larger, and the range extender hybrid model is generally larger due to the range extender, drive motor and battery pack composed of engine and generator, etc., which will lead to lower fuel economy, especially when driving on the highway, but it will consume more fuel than fuel vehicles.
In addition, when the battery life is insufficient, the engine and generator will start to charge the battery. The engine and generator of the extended range model are usually located in front of the cockpit, close to the cockpit, and when the battery is insufficient, the engine will usually run at high speed to meet the needs of electricity and charging, at this time the engine and generator high speed running sound will be relatively large, for the comfort of passengers in the car and the stability of the vehicle caused a certain impact. Therefore, the engine requirements and choice of extended range models will be more demanding, both thermal efficiency, while weight, volume and fuel consumption must be controlled within a reasonable range, but not all engines can be used as a power source for range extended vehicles.
Range extender models and pure electric models, but also need to be equipped with a thermal management system to dissipate heat from the battery and drive motor, and the electronic control system must also take into account the vehicle's energy strategy, battery output and generator charging efficiency, so as to ensure the safety of the vehicle's electricity.
3. There are few suppliers of spare parts for extended range models
As we all know, automakers are only responsible for developing and assembling models, but most of the auto parts are manufactured and produced by upstream and downstream suppliers, from a screw to the steel used in the vehicle. The range extender model type is small, coupled with the market sales is not much, so many suppliers are not willing to provide OEM production of parts for the extended range model, which for manufacturers, many parts have to be purchased separately, and finally through the integration of the program to complete their own production. Especially for core technologies such as engines, in order to prevent the achievement of enemies' strength, engines will not be sold at all. This is also why the engine of the ideal ONE range extender is a relatively technologically backward 1.2T three-cylinder engine.
4. The subsidy is not as strong as that of pure electric vehicles
The domestic government's subsidies for new energy models have always been relatively generous, especially pure electric models, models within 300,000 can enjoy subsidies (there is no restriction on replacing electric models), but also enjoy policies such as purchase tax reductions, so this also leads many consumers to put down their concerns and choose to buy pure electric vehicles. Whether it is for consumers or car companies, this is a win-win policy.
Although the national new energy subsidies have declined year by year, the amount of subsidies for extended-range electric vehicles is relatively lower than that of pure electric vehicles. According to the 2022 automobile subsidy policy, the subsidy amount for extended-range passenger cars is 4800 yuan, while the subsidy amount for pure electric vehicle models is 9100 yuan to 12600 yuan according to the different mileage. In addition, there is a more embarrassing place is that many cities in China do not have the same attitude towards the range increase, some cities can enjoy the treatment of new energy vehicles, and in Beijing, although they can also be green cards, they can only be the license plate beginning with "AF", which is still the same as the restricted number policy constraints of fuel vehicles. It can only be classified into the field of fuel vehicles.
summary
Although the extended range model is not as good as the pure electric sales at present, this does not mean that the extended range model is a failed product, after all, it can solve the problem of endurance anxiety, and in many cities can also enjoy the policy of new energy models, so this is the reason why the sales of the extended range model are getting higher and higher. However, the current market share of range extender models is still too small, and the model positioning is high, if the future can be in cost control, lightweight and other aspects of a breakthrough, I believe that more and more consumers are willing to choose range extender models.