Chinese car manufacturer Xpeng has just recently revealed a gas-powered range extender called the Kunpeng Super Electric System.
The company's extended-range EV powertrain offers up to 267 miles (430 km) on electric alone, and up to 869 miles (1,400 km) when using both the battery and gas.
Although China's range estimates tend to be optimistic compared to US figures, it’s an impressive range, Inside EVs reported.
By adding an internal combustion engine as a range extender, these hybrid vehicles offer a practical solution for areas with unreliable charging, especially in remote regions. This makes hybrid models more accessible for people who might otherwise hesitate to switch from traditional cars.
Thus, Xpeng is using a full-sized EV battery, unlike Mazda, which reduced the MX-30 EV’s battery capacity by half for its range-extender version.
Xpeng’s range extenders combine a large battery with the convenience of quick refueling, likely boosting their appeal. Xpeng also plans to add an AI Battery Doctor to extend battery life by up to 30 percent, with all AI functions managed by a 40-core processor that powers Level 4-capable autonomous driving systems.
Xpeng highlights its rapid charging capability of up to 960 kW, providing about 1 km of range per second. With a compatible water-cooled charger, the car can reach 80 percent charge in around 12 minutes, thanks to its 800-volt system. The Chinese company also plans to produce charging stations to support this speed.
Xpeng claims that when the range extender’s engine activates, passengers won’t notice, as it only raises interior noise by one decibel. The main downside could be cost, as adding a combustion powertrain might make Xpeng’s cars more expensive to produce.
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