The oil-fueled electric vehicle EREV emerges as an alternative for the shift to electrification

Rangeextended electric vehicles, or EREVs, which have a fuel filler but use electric motors alone to drive the wheels, are emerging as a new option in the global automaker industry. Amid slowing EV demand and limitations in charging infrastructure, many companies, including Hyundai Motor, are considering or introducing this approach for large SUVs and pickup trucks. EREVs have a structure in which the engine does not directly move the car and instead only serves as a generator for charging the battery. Because they can use a smaller battery than a pure electric vehicle, they can reduce weight and cost burdens, and they are also considered advantageous for securing a long driving range. Hyundai Motor is pushing ahead with a plan to apply EREV technology to Genesis and large SUV segments, with a target launch in 2027. However, debate over their environmental friendliness remains. Since they burn fuel to generate electricity while driving, carbon emissions are produced, and losses in the energy conversion process are also difficult to avoid. Even so, there is counterargument that because the engine is separated from the drive shaft, it can operate only in efficient ranges, making it possible to reduce emissions compared with conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Easing regulations in the United States and discussions in the European Union on technology neutrality are providing a backdrop for expanding the potential use of EREVs.