EREV Revolution Automakers Gamble on Extended-Range Electric Trucks

The Laughing Stock of EV Trucks

Well well well what do we have here? Ford dropping the F 150 Lightning like a bad habit. Seems like someone didn't get the memo that electric vehicles are supposed to be the future. But hey let's not dwell on failures. As I always say "Why so serious?" It's much more fun to watch them squirm as they try to figure out what the public *really* wants. And what's this? Extended Range Electric Vehicles? EREVs? Sounds like a desperate attempt to have your cake and eat it too. A bit like trying to convince Gotham that I'm a sane responsible citizen. But who am I to judge? After all I'm just an agent of chaos.

EREV: A Game Changer or Just Another Joke

Douglas Killian from Ram calls EREVs a "game changer" and a "segment buster." Oh how adorable. Reminds me of those naive cops trying to stop me with their silly rules. "Rules are like pie they're made to be broken." But let's humor him for a moment. An EREV or REEV as Ram calls it is a series hybrid where the engine only charges the battery. Genius. Pure genius. It's like giving people a little taste of madness without fully committing. And they expect about 150 miles of EV only driving? That's barely enough to cause some *real* mayhem. But hey baby steps right? Speaking of gambles it looks like automakers are facing a big one not unlike Amazon's $200 Billion Gamble AI Dominance or Economic Abyss though I doubt either will be as unpredictable as my plans.

Global Domination or Just a Chinese Fad?

So it seems these EREVs are all the rage in China. Figures. They always have to be different don't they? But American automakers think it's the right move for the U.S. truck market. A McKinsey survey even found that a whopping 18% of car buyers in the U.S. would consider an EREV. That's almost enough to start a riot. And Paul Hackert from McKinsey says it's a way for people interested in EVs to try it out without fully committing. How pathetic. It's like dipping your toes in a pool of acid instead of diving in headfirst. But hey who am I to judge? Some people just aren't ready for the full dose of chaos.

Truck Buyers: A Different Breed of Crazy

Ryan Decker from Scout Motors claims that truck owners are a unique bunch. They "work hard and they play hard." As if that justifies their need for gas guzzling vehicles. Scout has both full EV and EREV versions but 80% of reservations are for the EREV. Surprise surprise. "EV only isn't the best powertrain choice for a hard working vehicle owner and buyer," Decker says. Translation People are afraid of change. They want the comfort of gasoline even if it's just a backup plan. It's like keeping a rusty knife under your pillow just in case I decide to pay you a visit. Pointless really but it makes them feel safer.

The Cost of Chaos: Cheaper Upfront?

Stephanie Valdez Streaty from Cox Automotive claims that EREVs will have a lower upfront cost than full EVs with comparable range. "The bigger the vehicle the bigger the battery the bigger the cost," she says. Makes sense I suppose. Chaos does have a price but it's usually worth it. The Ram and Scout EREVs promise about 145 miles of range on EV power alone. That's almost enough to escape the Bat. Almost. And Decker from Scout boasts that their EV utilization factor will be significantly higher than a plug in hybrid. I wouldn't bet on it. People are lazy. They'll use the gas engine whenever they can. It's human nature. Like my need to cause mayhem. I can't help myself.

The Punchline: When Will We See the Joke?

Ram's EREV is set to arrive in late 2026 and Scout in 2027. Ford hasn't said when they'll launch their model. And Scout's EREV will start below $60,000. Not exactly chump change but hey you can't put a price on peace of mind. Or can you? General Motors has no EREV in the U.S. and Rivian has no plans to make one. Smart move. It's always better to stay out of the madness. But EREVs have their critics too. Some say they can emit as much pollution as a gas burning vehicle. And they could be more costly to build. But Killian from Ram asks "What's the catch?" And then answers "To a customer there really is not a catch." Oh how wrong he is. There's always a catch. Isn't there?