(Electrek) – Ford has a design for detachable range-extender that may drop into an electrical pickup’s mattress, which may presumably turn out to be an choice for the upcoming F150 electrical.
Vary-extenders, that are mainly mills, haven’t turn out to be in style with electrical autos consumers.
It’s mainly the identical idea as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with the primary distinction being {that a} PHEV usually has a brief battery-electric vary and primarily depends on its fuel tank for longer distances.
On the opposite arms, an EV with a spread extender usually primarily depends on the battery and the generator solely offers some extra vary.
However each can recharge their battery independently from burning fuel – not like an hybrid.
The very best instance is the BMW i3 which was provided with a spread extender choice.
Now Ford has utilized for a patent on an attention-grabbing answer for a range-extender that may be dropped into an electrical pickup’s mattress.
Within the patent software, Ford says that the generator is formed like a toolbox:
“An electrified automobile based on an exemplary facet of the current disclosure contains, amongst different issues, a drive wheel, a battery pack, a cargo area, and a generator removably positioned inside the cargo area and tailored to selectively output energy for both charging the battery pack or propelling the drive wheel. The generator is formed like a toolbox.”
Ford mentions that the system may have a capability of 5, 10, and even 15 gallons relying on the configuration.
Listed here are a number of the drawings from the patent software on the brand new vary extender design:
Whereas firms usually patent applied sciences that don’t all the time make it to market, this patent is especially attention-grabbing within the context of Ford engaged on its very first electrical pickup truck the F150 Electrical.
Ford is predicted to deliver the Ford F150 Electrical pickup to market in 2022.
Right here’s Ford’s new patent software in full:
Electrek’s Take
I’m usually not a fan of vary extenders, however I believe that is an attention-grabbing answer.
My greatest grievance about them is effectivity. Carrying a generator and fuel tank impacts the effectivity of your electrical powertrain and vice versa.
Nonetheless, if it’s detachable, it’s one other factor.
You possibly can use your electrical pickup truck as a pure BEV more often than not and and while you want longer vary or carry or tow larger hundreds, you would add the vary extender.
I believe that’s an attention-grabbing answer and will assist ease extra pickup house owners to make the swap to electrical.
After all, it depends upon how straightforward it’s to mount and dismount that generator, however I believe it’s one thing value exploring at the least.
