New Chinese brand says EREVs are the next big thing in Australia

Extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) aren't all that new in Australia, though we're starting to see them proliferate here as a long-range alternative to battery electric vehicles (EVs).

New arrival from China, Forthing, intends to offer attainable EREVs alongside equivalent EVs across its lineup, with national manager for the brand, Shaun Garrard, saying he believes the powertrain technology is "perfect" for Australians.

"I say it's perfect for this market because it gets people access to pure EV technology, but it also gives them that backup when they need it," Mr Garrard told CarExpert.

"I think for a lot of Australians, it's still important to have that [ICE] backup, given that many are not confident that the [public] charging network in Australia is sufficiently built out."

The Chinese brand – a subsidiary of auto giant Dongfeng – is launching in Australia with the Taikon 5 Electric (EV) and Range Extender Hybrid (REEV) mid-size SUV.

Mr Garrard also confirmed three new Forthing models will be launched in Australia in the coming 18 months, with the first cab off the rank an affordable people mover that will likewise offer EREV and EV powertrain options.

Compared to conventional plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), EREVs generally don't use their on-board internal combustion engines to drive the wheels, rather using the ICE powerplant as a generator to charge the battery pack which feeds the electric motor(s).

In the case of the Forthing REEV, a 1.5-litre petrol engine feeds a 31.94kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack which can also be plugged in, which then powers a 120kW/240Nm electric motor driving the rear axle.

With its big battery and 43L fuel tank, the Forthing REEV quotes 170km of EV driving range on the WLTP cycle, with the ICE range extender system upping the total range to up to 937km (WLTP).

As noted earlier, EREVs aren't all that new.

The first-generation Holden Volt (known overseas as the Chevrolet Volt and Opel/Vauxhall Ampera) is regarded as one of the first mass-production EREV vehicles, sold globally from 2010-2015 (and here from 2012).

Featuring a 1.4-litre petrol engine and a 16.0-17.1kWh battery pack depending on the model year, the first Volt offered 56-61km of EV range and up to 610km combined range.

It's a similar concept to the original BMW i3 REx, which was launched globally in 2013. Available with several battery options over its life, the i3 REx added a 647cc two-cylinder petrol engine from the C650 GT scooter, good for total range of up to 322km.

EREVs fell off toward the tail-end of the 2010s, at least in the western world, but China has been pumping them out in massive numbers since around 2019.

Leading brands in the Chinese market include Li Auto, AITO and Leapmotor, and more recently the industry has seen legacy automakers jump back on the bandwagon.

Stellantis, Hyundai, Ford and Volkswagen's Scout Motors have all committed to launching EREV powertrains en masse in various global markets during the back half of this decade, primarily targeting the North American market.

Leapmotor already offers EREV versions of its B10 and C10 SUVs in Australia, while Hyundai recently confirmed the updated Santa Fe EREV is headed Down Under, though timing is still to be confirmed.

Premium arm of Geely, Zeekr, will also be introducing EREV tech in the form of the 8X and 9X luxury SUVs, the latter featuring a massive 55kWh battery and a 660kW/935Nm dual-motor electric drive system assisted by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet in Europe.

The European-market Zeekr 9X claims to offer 179km of electric driving range and 737km of combined driving range based on preliminary WLTP figures. Unlike most EREVs, the Zeekr's petrol engine is able to assist with driving the wheels via a driveshaft at speeds above 80km/h.

While not classified as EREVs, the latest wave of Chinese 'Super Hybrids' – including the Geely Starray EM-i, Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and Jaecoo J7 SHS, all mid-size SUVs like Forthing's new entry – are touted as offering an EV-like driving experience, with some offering over 100km of electric range and upwards of 1000km of total combined range.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for our Australian first drive review of the Forthing Electric and Range Extender Hybrid SUVs on Thursday, 17 September.

MORE: Explore the Forthing showroom