- Volkswagen is exploring new range-extended EVs for future models.
- The setup could power upcoming sedans and crossover offerings.
- Range-extenders may debut within Volkswagen’s next EV architecture.
Volkswagen had high hopes for EVs as the company pivoted in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal. The ID.4 marked a solid start, but things quickly went wrong from there.
Plans to sell the ID.7 in America were abandoned, while the ID. Buzz failed to live up to expectations. As a result, huge markups have now given way to discounts of nearly $20,000.
More: VW Scraps ID.7 For North America Due To Frosty EV Climate
The company is now said to be considering offering range-extended powertrains in sedans and crossovers for Europe and the United States. The discussions are reportedly part of a larger conversation as the automaker is preparing a new five-year investment plan.
Bloomberg reports the details of these investments will be announced in March of next year. That’s a ways off, but a spokesperson told the publication they’re “monitoring market developments and has reserved the range extender concept for its future EV platform.”
They added that consumer demand will ultimately determine when and where range-extended vehicles are offered.
While we’ve seen a few range-extended vehicles in the United States, a number of new models are on the horizon. Besides the Scout Terra and Traveler, Stellantis is gearing up to launch range-extended versions of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Ram 1500.
Ford CEO Jim Farley has also praised them as he said they give customers an electric experience without range anxiety. More importantly, they enable companies to offer an “electric vehicle that’s fully comparable to an ICE vehicle in terms of cost.”
This is largely due to the fact that range-extended EVs can use a significantly smaller and cheaper battery pack. This is made possible by an engine, which acts as a generator.
