FEV Responds to Growing Demand for Hybrid-BEV in China

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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28th January 2022

Automotive powertrain specialist FEV has created a range-extender hybrid powertrain to meet growing demands for range in China.

While European markets turn their gaze towards BEV, Chinese consumers are demanding greater real-world range capabilities than the current crop of battery cars can provide. So FEV’s answer is what it calls a Hybrid-BEV powertrain with a claimed 620-mile range between fuel stops.

The company, headquartered in Aachen, Germany, claims its new powertrain system meets consumer demand in terms of mid-range and upper mid-range sought by the company car segment. Here, an electric range of 80 to 105 miles is possible thanks to a battery capacity of about 30 to 40 kWh. This, combined with a gasoline tank volume of around 10.6 US gallons for the ICE energy generator, results in a total range according to WLTP of around 620 miles without a stop.

The overall efficiency of the concept also benefits from the reduced battery capacity. This results in a weight reduction of around 440lbs compared with a pure BEV platform.

The Hybrid-BEV platform is particularly compact with the integrated generator and e-drive in the front of the vehicle. As a result, the long wheelbase of a typical BEV platform remains unchanged. The same applies to the seat height. The reduced battery capacity compared with a pure BEV and the positioning of the battery in the underbody mean that space is gained in the interior. In addition to the fully available trunk volume, rear passengers benefit from more generous footwells without compromising battery capacity: a so-called foot garage integrated into the floor assembly creates the corresponding space.

All the customization options for hybrid BEVs have only a minor impact on the BEV base platform.

Professor Stefan Pischinger, president and CEO of FEV Group, said: “Our hybrid BEV is an all-in-one solution that eliminates the need for additional platforms and associated development and manufacturing facilities for automakers. In this way, we create enormous cost advantages that are not only important for smaller OEMs or start-ups. In addition to the roadmap to phase out coal, we also need clear regulations that lead to the reduction of fossil fuels while increasing the use of e-fuels. The introduction of e-fuel quotas and planning guidelines for mineral oil suppliers and service station operators, including a complete ban on fossil fuels, creates legal and business certainty. Additionally, this provides the possibility of being able to operate hybrid vehicles in a CO2-neutral manner.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_