New range extender to increase popularity of EVs

Hyperdrive, a company in North East England is developing an innovative new range extender that is designed to reduce the range limitations of electric vehicles (EVs). Range anxiety is a major barrier preventing EV take-up and Hyperdrive's new system has the potential to be integrated into an existing EV in series with the vehicle's powertrain to reduce these consumer fears.

The project is just one groundbreaking initiative that has successfully received funding through the Collaborative Projects Fund. The fund was set up in North East England last year to provide grant funding to collaborative industry-research organisation project and is supported through the Government's Regional Growth Fund programme.

The capabilities of Hyperdrive's 15kW petrol range extender have already been proven and this project, with the help of £278,331 (S$541,784) funding, allows for the development of a more efficient 15kW diesel engine.

The Range Extender is being developed for use in cars, light commercial vehicles, marine applications, and even as a portable power pack for breakdown services. It is being developed as a compact and cost effective option, which will allow for a reduction in EV battery pack size resulting in decreasing vehicle weight and cost.

The unit, which uses only proven components to ensure maximum reliability and efficiency, has been designed to run only at optimised points and is switched off when not required. CAN-enabled, it optimises the use of shared engine, generator and ECU components to avoid compromise in the reduction of lower carbon emissions.