Electric vehicles have come a long way over the past few decades. However, one might wonder if progress has moved too quickly. Political pressure and popular trends have led us to transition from hybrid cars to fully electric vehicles without truly considering everything in between. In fact, plug-in hybrid vehicles have seen a major resurgence in popularity in recent years.
There is another concept that was quickly abandoned by automakers, despite being arguably the most interesting and viable of them all. I’m talking about electric vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine that functions solely as a generator. This was precisely the concept behind the Chevrolet Volt, a car I always found brilliant. However, the brand eventually replaced it with fully electric models.
Revisiting the Concept
For several years now, some automakers have been discussing the idea of offering electric vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine that serves only as a generator. This is exactly what Ram has decided to do with the upcoming Ramcharger. Naturally, Ford is also in the game, and it appears that the American automaker plans to introduce a whole lineup of models with this type of powertrain.
According to multiple sources, Ford intends to expand its offerings with electric vehicles featuring gasoline-powered generators. Unsurprisingly, much of the focus is on the Super Duty lineup. However, this technology could also be well-suited for other pickup trucks and even several SUVs in Ford’s range. Some rumors suggest that the next generation of the Mustang Mach-E and the Lightning could be offered with this technology. It’s also worth noting that Ford recently abandoned its plan for a three-row electric SUV, suggesting that the automaker has a new strategy in mind.
Electric vehicles with a gasoline engine functioning as a generator are becoming increasingly popular in markets such as China. In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before this trend gains traction in North America. Don’t be surprised if Ford launches several models of this type in the coming years. Moreover, we should expect other manufacturers to follow suit.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
