The Electric Vehicle Range Extender (EV Range Extender) is an auxiliary power system primarily used to extend the driving range of pure electric vehicles. Its core principle is to automatically start and charge the battery when the battery power is insufficient through a built-in small fuel generator or fuel cell, thereby preventing the vehicle from being stranded due to power depletion. Currently, common types of range extenders on the market include internal combustion engine (ICE) type and fuel cell type. The former is powered by petrol or diesel generators, while the latter uses hydrogen fuel cell technology. Both can operate quietly and are compatible with the 48V to 72V voltage systems of electric vehicles. For example, portable, installation-free range extenders range in price from RM300 to RM2900, with power covering 3kW to 8kW, which can meet the range needs of two-wheeled, three-wheeled and even four-wheeled electric vehicles. However, its technical difficulties lie in how to balance volume, weight and power generation efficiency, while complying with emission standards. In the future, as the cost of fuel cell technology decreases, the application of range extenders in the commercial vehicle field may further expand.
