With pure EV sales slowing across Europe and especially in Ireland, many car makers are looking at their powertrain options moving forward. An increasing number are now seeing great potential in Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs). 

Such vehicles are essentially electric cars, but with a smaller, lighter battery and a small internal combustion engine, which essentially acts as generator. This additional power kicks in when the battery is discharged to a low level. The energy provide by the small combustion unit does not power the drive of the car, but provides energy to the electric motor and also charges the battery. 

The use of this technology can significantly extended the driving range of the vehicle and can often mean that the inconvenience of a recharge on longer journeys can be avoided. Also because the combustion unit is small, very efficient and infrequently used, the emissions are marginal. 

At present only one car on the European market uses this technology, the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV. This uses a compact Mazda rotary engine to extend its range. Mazda says this gives a range of 680km compared to 200km for the pure electric version.
 
The technology is more widely used in China, most notably by Leapmotor, a partner of Stellantis. Both Stellantis and Ford are believed to be keen to develop EREV technology, but the stumbling black appears to be the 2035 EU combustion engine ban. The car makers are keen that these compact generator engines are excluded from the new regulations, allowing this technology, which is 95% electric, to be a viable option going forward. 
 
It is currently unclear what the EU position on this is, but with pure EV sales in decline EREVs may well prove to be an attractive option and car makers will be lobbying hard to keep this option open.