EREV Transformation in the Automotive Industry: Gasoline-Assisted Electric Vehicles Against Range Anxiety

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Stellantis Drive Systems President Micky Bly describes this approach as "definitely a good answer."

The company aims to launch the EREV trend in the United States with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer model late this year or early next year.

Next will be the pickup truck model named Ram 1500 REV. Combining a large electric vehicle battery with a V-6 type gasoline charging engine, this vehicle promises to drive up to approximately 1110 kilometers, more than double the standard electric models in the USA.

South Korea-based Hyundai announced at the end of August that it will offer the EREV version of the new Santa Fe model, which provides a range of approximately 965 kilometers, for sale in 2027. The group's luxury brand Genesis is also preparing a vehicle with a similar structure.

Ford, which discontinued the loss-making electric F-150 Lightning model last December, states that it will revive this pickup truck in EREV format.

It remains unclear to what extent new and complex intermediate technologies will resonate with consumers.

While drivers new to electric vehicles experience charging confusion, previous attempts combining electricity and gasoline have not achieved significant commercial success in the United States.

"We are adding a new layer of complexity and weirdness to the current situation. Serious consumer education will be required," says Ivan Drury, director of analysis at auto platform Edmunds, in his assessment of the process.

Nick Phucas, a mechanical engineer in Virginia who recently replaced his electric Rivian pickup truck with a gas-powered Ram model, says the EREV idea is intriguing.

However, Phucas questions whether there will be a loss of performance when the gasoline generator is activated and says, "What exactly will my range be if I fill the tank with gasoline when the electric range runs out?" asks the question.

Automotive manufacturers faced billions of dollars of idle investment as a result of consumers not turning to electric vehicles at the expected level.

There is a painful retreat from the goal of completely electrifying the market by 2030.

The Donald Trump administration's removal of the $7,500 incentive last year and withdrawal of regulations supporting the electric vehicle market increased the stagnation in sales.

Two main factors stand out for American consumers to refrain from buying electric vehicles en masse: the high cost of battery-powered vehicles and range anxiety related to the lack of charging points.

While EREV technology theoretically solves the range and charging problems, it also provides advantages for large vehicles with three rows of seats that encounter long charging times.

This architecture attracts great interest in the Chinese market, where companies Ford and General Motors offer EREV models.

Most current plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road are gasoline vehicles with batteries added to provide limited electric range.

EREV models completely reverse this fiction.

In these models, which are basically designed as direct electric vehicles, the gasoline engine does not establish a mechanical connection to the wheels, it only acts as a generator that charges the battery.

This mechanism reduces the battery cost compared to fully electric vehicles and eliminates the need for classic internal combustion engine parts such as transmissions.

The vehicles maintain their electric driving dynamics, including sudden acceleration, even when the battery is powered by the generator.

Transforming consumer habits remains a challenging process. Plug-in hybrids account for only 1 or 2 percent of new vehicle sales in the United States.

Ed Kim, President of industry research organization AutoPacific, says that some drivers buy these vehicles just to use the multi-passenger vehicle lanes in California, and many of them almost never charge the vehicles.

"A consumer won't buy a product they don't understand. This is the main reason why plug-in hybrids have not been adopted sufficiently in North America," says Ed Kim.

Engineers argue that EREV models will offer a more advanced driving experience compared to existing rechargeable hybrids.

Most older hybrids provided very low electric range before switching to gasoline engines.

The Subaru Crosstrek hybrid, whose production was discontinued after 2023, had a range of only 27 kilometers, and the rechargeable Jeep Wrangler, whose production was discontinued after 2025, reached approximately 32 kilometers.

Considered the first EREV offered to the mass market in the USA and bearing the signature of General Motors, the Chevrolet Volt traveled nearly 80 kilometers on battery alone during the production period between 2011 and 2019.

Sam Abuelsamid, an engineer and analyst working at the Detroit-based research company Telemetry, told WSJ that the new generation EREV models will offer an electric range of more than 160 kilometers, so most drivers will rarely visit the gas station.

EREV vehicles also differ with their ability to tow heavy loads without losing range.

High consumption while towing is among the main factors in the low sales of electric pickup trucks such as the F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV.

Abuelsamid states that thanks to the gasoline generator support, no sacrifices need to be made in terms of how far and for how long the load will be towed.

Stellantis official Micky Bly says that the automotive industry has been racing to produce fully electric vehicles for years in order to comply with official regulations, and that the EREV model can create a middle ground that will satisfy customers more.

On the other hand, experts and engineers warn that vehicles with EREV technology may be sold at higher prices than both their traditional gasoline counterparts and full electric models.

Former General Motors Vice President and industry consultant Dan Nicholson points to the cost barrier:

“Customers won't turn away from this technology, but whether they will be willing to pay extra for it remains to be seen.”