EREV: why Li Auto does not fear a lack of chargers

An EREV is an extended-range electric vehicle. Its wheels are always driven by electric motors, while a small petrol engine works only as a generator. Li Auto’s SUVs use this layout, and it is exactly what makes them practical where fast chargers are scarce. Let us look at how it works and what it means for the owner.

How an EREV works

In a conventional hybrid the petrol engine and the electric motor work together, and both can turn the wheels. In an EREV the combustion engine has no mechanical link to the wheels. It starts when the battery drops to a set level and produces electricity for the motors and the battery. There is no gearbox in the usual sense — the transmission is single-speed, as in an electric car.

• Short trips around town run on the battery alone, just like an EV.
• On a long road the generator keeps the battery topped up and the car runs on petrol.
• Plugging in is optional: the car will drive without it.

The Li L7 and L9 in figures

Both models in our catalog are Max versions with a 1.5-litre generator and 330 kW of system power. The L7 is a five-seat SUV 5,050 mm long; the L9 is a six-seater 5,218 mm long.

Fuel use is given for the mode where the battery is already depleted and the car runs on the generator. Around 7.5 litres for an all-wheel-drive SUV weighing over two tonnes is the level of a compact petrol car.

Where an EREV beats a pure EV

A pure electric car shines where there is home charging and a dense network of fast chargers. Once a route leaves the big cities, range becomes the main question. An EREV removes that question: every motorway has a filling station, and total range depends on the tank size, as with a petrol car.

That is why these cars are popular with people who travel often between cities in Kazakhstan, in Siberia and in Central Asia. At the same time, charging at home, an L7 owner can go weeks without visiting a filling station in town: 210 km of electric range covers everyday driving.

What to keep in mind as an owner

An EREV has two power systems, and both need servicing: the generator engine has oil, filters and spark plugs, the battery has a cooling system. The engine runs in a narrow rev range, so it is under less strain than in an ordinary car. For winter, the L7 and L9 have a heat pump, heated steering wheel and seats, and air suspension lets you raise the body on a poor road.

If you are choosing between an electric car and an EREV, start with your routes: where you charge and how often you travel far. The calculator shows the turnkey price for your city, and we will help you pick a version within your budget.