BEV SALES STALLED OUT. WILL EREVS RIDE TO THE RESCUE?

EV Channels Review

This Autoline Exclusives episode features Patrick Hertzke of McKinsey discussing the potential of Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) to address stalled BEV sales. The core of the discussion revolves around a McKinsey study of 30,000 consumers, revealing that while BEV adoption faces barriers like charging access and range anxiety, EREVs present a compelling alternative. Consumers, when educated about EREVs, show significant interest, with 18% preferring them for their next vehicle, drawing interest from both ICE and hybrid buyers, not just potential BEV converts. Key advantages highlighted include eliminating range and charging anxiety, towing capability, and a potentially lower manufacturing cost compared to BEVs. However, confusion around terminology and the technology itself remains a significant hurdle, with the advice given to focus on the vehicle's capabilities rather than the EREV acronym. The discussion also touches on the importance of fast charging for EREVs and the consumer recognition that home charging is beneficial. Overall, EREVs are positioned as a potentially crucial bridging technology for the automotive industry.