New diesel range extender aims to reduce cost of EVs

New 15kW diesel range extender system under development by Hyperdrive.

North East England company Hyperdrive is developing a new range extender, thanks to £278,331 funding from the Collaborative Projects Fund. Hyperdrive has already created a 15kW petrol range extender and the latest funding injection allows for the development of a diesel version.

The new system has the potential to be integrated into an existing EV in series with the vehicle’s powertrain to reduce range anxiety fears. It is being developed for use in cars and light commercials, as well as marine applications. Hyperdrive says that the compact unit will allow for a reduction in EV battery pack size, which in turn means a decrease in vehicle weight and cost.

Proven components are said to ensure maximum reliability and efficiency, and the system can be switched off when required.  CAN-enabled, it optimises the use of shared engine, generator and ECU components to avoid compromise in the reduction of lower carbon emissions.

“Compared with existing technologies, our Range Extender is a low cost, compact and high power-density unit,” says Hyperdrive managing director, Stephen Irish. “We believe this product is the perfect way to overcome the hurdle of range anxiety and it is further evidence that the North East is producing innovative solutions to achieve a low carbon future.”

North East England has a strong EV infrastructure, second only to London for the amount of public charging points. The project received funding through the Collaborative Projects Fund, which was set up in North East England in 2012 to provide grant funding to collaborative industry-research organisation projects and is supported through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund programme.