What are Range Extenders and What Electric Cars Use Them? (2024)
Find out how a range extender works to prevent 'range anxiety' here
One of the disadvantages of an electric vehicle is that you are limited to driving certain distances, as the fully charged battery will only take you so far.
While simple things such as looking after your tyres and lightening the cargo in your EV can help you extend your EV’s range, there is another solution to further ease ‘Range Anxiety’.
Range extenders have been created to solve this problem for a range of electric cars. If you’ve never heard of them, let’s take a look at what they are in more detail.
What is a Range Extender?
A range extender is a secondary onboard power generator. It usually works by charging the electric car’s battery as you drive. It is intended to only be used as a backup when the primary battery is running low.
It is quite similar to the way a hybrid car works but with a range extender, you can’t use the extender to run the car, only to power the battery.
How Does a Range Extender Work?
Once the EV’s battery is almost depleted, the range extender turns on and provides electricity to recharge the battery. They aren’t powerful enough to run the car by themselves and act simply as a backup until you can get your vehicle to a charging point.
It can be argued that a range extender can improve the quality of your battery as it lowers the temperature of the battery, extending its lifespan.
Which Electric Cars Use Range Extenders?
Here is a list of the models that you can have range extenders fitted for:
- Audi e-Tron
- BMW i3
- BMW i3 REX
- Hyundai Kona
- Hyundai Ioniq
- Kia e-Soul
- Kia e-Niro
- Lexus Hybrid
- Mazda MX-30
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- Nissan Leaf
- Nissan e-NV200
- Tesla Model X
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model Y
- Toyota Hybrid
- Volkswagen e-Up
- Volkswagen e-Golf
What are the Advantages of Having a Range Extender?
There are several advantages to owning a range extender:
- An extended range. The obvious advantage of a range extender is that you can drive further than the mileage you would normally get out of a single charge.
- Increased comfort. Balancing the other electrical consumption from areas such as air conditioning and heating can make for a more comfortable journey.
- Battery health. A range extender stops the battery from running out or overheating, meaning that your battery life is extended, and the health of your battery improves.
How Much is a Range Extender?
Range extenders can be expensive. Prices begin at £200 and can range all the way up to £1000.
The price can vary depending on the model and year of your EV too.
Where Can I Buy One?
V-Tech Tuning has a variety of range extenders for sale on their website.
They offer extenders for BMW, Skoda, Tesla, and older models, such as the e-Up. Prices begin at €259.
There are also plenty of second-hand options available on eBay but note that second-hand isn't always reliable. While it can be more affordable for some, there is a risk involved.
How Else Can I Extend My EV’s Range?
Range extenders aren’t the only solution to getting more miles out of your EV.
Simple changes like keeping your tyres in good condition and taking unnecessary cargo from your car to lighten the load can be beneficial in extending your cars range. Also ensuring that your car is regularly services and switching off unused electronics inside the car can help.
If you’d like to know more about extending your EV’s range without using a range extender, you can do so here.
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