Leapmotor Relies on Range Extenders from ZF

ZF has won its first customer order for its advanced eRE+ range extender technology: Chinese automaker Leapmotor will offer a version of its premium SUV D19 with a range extender from ZF starting in 2026. In standard range extender operation, i.e., generator mode, a combustion engine drives the electric motor, charges the high-voltage battery, and thus extends its range. The eRE+ technology also offers switchable all-wheel drive via the front axle and, with a drive power of up to 200 kW, provides an additional boost for overtaking maneuvers. "Range extenders are currently in increasing demand, especially in the Chinese and North American automotive markets," explains Sebastian Schmitt, head of ZF's Electrified Drive Technologies division. While REEVs (range-extended electric vehicles) are considered a variant of so-called "new energy vehicles" in the Far East, in which a smaller battery can be charged by a combustion engine while driving, they are also an increasingly popular option in the USA for battery-powered vehicles that are independent of the charging infrastructure. "We responded to this demand in good time with a flexible range of range extender technology and local production capacities. This strategy has borne fruit and led to our new order for Leapmotor," says Timo Meisel, Senior Vice President of Electrified Powertrain Technology Division, Asia Pacific.