Range Extender Electric Vehicle Owners Laugh at Charging Blackspots

What is a Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV)?

A Range Extender Electric Vehicle—REEV for short—is an electric car with a secret weapon: a petrol engine that doesn’t drive the wheels, but acts as a generator to charge the battery when it runs low. You drive electric.

When the battery’s flat, the engine kicks in and charges it up. No, it’s not a plug-in hybrid. In a REEV, the wheels are always spun by the electric motor. The petrol engine never touches the tarmac—just keeps the electrons flowing.

Why REEVs Are a Bloody Good Fit for Australia

Let’s be honest: Australia’s got a charging problem. The distances are epic, the roadhouses are few, and the “national charging network” is patchwork . Range anxiety isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a fact of life. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are brilliant in the city, but take one on a Nullarbor crossing and you’ll be sweating bullets watching that range tick down.

Here’s where REEVs step in:

Serious Range: Take the Leapmotor C10 REEV. Up to 1150km (NEDC) on a full charge and tank. That’s Sydney to Melbourne and halfway back—no charger panic, no drama.
Refuel Anywhere: When the battery’s dead, fill up with petrol at any servo. No waiting hours for a charger. No getting stranded in the bush.
Electric First: Short trips? School run? Commute? You’ll run pure electric—zero tailpipe emissions, quiet, smooth, cheap to run.
Winter Winner: That little engine’s waste heat warms the cabin and battery. Try that in a BEV on a frosty Canberra morning.

Would you buy a Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) in Australia?

0%Yes, it solves my range anxiety.
0%No, I prefer a pure BEV.
0%I’ll stick with petrol/diesel.
0%Not sure, need more info.

You can vote for more than one answer.

Brands Offering REEVs in Australia

The REEV market’s finally waking up here. Leapmotor’s C10 REEV is the new kid on the block—is the new kid on the block—$45,990 drive-away, two grades, up to 170km electric-only range, 1.5L petrol engine as backup. BMW’s i3 REx and the Chevrolet Volt paved the way, but they’re rare and mostly second-hand now.

Expect more Chinese brands to pile in—BYD, Nio, and others are sniffing around. Pricing? REEVs cost more than a straight BEV, thanks to the extra engine and complexity. But they’re still cheaper than many long-range BEVs, and you’re not paying for a monster battery you’ll rarely use.

REEVs vs. BEVs and Hybrids: The Only Comparison That Matters

Feature	REEV	BEV	Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
Main drive	Electric motor	Electric motor	Electric + petrol engine
Range extender	Petrol engine (generator)	None	Petrol engine (drives wheels)
Electric range	80–170km (typical)	300–600km+	30–80km
Long-distance	Petrol backup, no charger fear	Needs charger	Petrol backup, but less electric drive
Maintenance	More than BEV, less than PHEV	Lowest	Highest

Should You Buy a REEV in Australia?

Here’s the blunt truth:

Live in the city, never leave the metro bubble? Buy a BEV. Don’t pay for a petrol engine you’ll never use.
Love a road trip? Live regional? Want electric but don’t trust the charging network? REEV is your answer. No range anxiety. No waiting hours for a plug. No “will I make it to the next charger?” stress.
Worried about cost? REEVs are pricier than BEVs, but you’re paying for flexibility. If you do even one long trip a year, it’s worth every cent.

But don’t kid yourself—REEVs aren’t perfect. They’re heavier, more complex, and still need petrol. You’ll be back at the servo sometimes. But until Australia gets its charging act together, REEVs are the best compromise for real-world Aussie driving

The Future of the Range Extender Electric Vehicle in Australia

Range Extender Electric Vehicles are the bridge tech we need. They kill range anxiety and make electric driving possible in a country where “just charge it” isn’t an option. If you want electric, but Australia’s charging network has you spooked, a Range Extender Electric Vehicle is the only sensible choice.

Drive Change. Drive Electric