ONVO Exec Torches Extended-Range Electric Vehicles - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the ongoing debate in the automotive industry regarding the best path to electrification: whether automakers should focus solely on fully electric vehicles (EVs) or continue developing extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) that combine electric batteries with fossil-fuel engines. The Chevy Volt, introduced in 2010 with a 40-mile electric range plus a gas backup, was an early example of an EREV and initially well-received. However, as battery costs plummeted and fully electric vehicles with longer ranges became more affordable, many manufacturers shifted focus away from EREVs. Despite this trend, China has recently revived interest in extended-range EVs, integrating them more widely into their market. Shen Fei, president of ONVO (a sub-brand of Chinese EV maker NIO), strongly criticizes the extended-range approach. He argues that combining large batteries with fossil-fuel powertrains wastes resources, increases vehicle costs, and reduces interior space. Additionally, maintaining two different powertr