Extended Range Electric Vehicle Powertrain Provides Best of Both Worlds
Kia’s Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) powertrain may be paired with a gasoline engine to provide even more range for the new Telluride. Find out what to expect.
Alongside its close relative, the Hyundai Palisade, the Kia Telluride has made a name for itself as one of the most successful three-row crossover SUVs available. The Palisade recently moved into its second generation, which means the Telluride isn’t far behind. Here’s what to expect.
New Powertrain Could Be a Game-Changer
Kia is evaluating the Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) powertrain for use in the Telluride. The automaker announced the powertrain earlier this year. It features an innovative design that combines electric power and internal combustion to achieve impressive efficiency.
The EREV powertrain allows vehicles to function like normal EVs because the gasoline engine doesn’t power them. Instead, it functions as a generator to recharge the batteries, eliminating range anxiety and allowing vehicles to travel over 600 miles without needing a recharge or refill.
As a point of reference, Kia’s current three-row electric SUV, the EV9, has a roughly average range of 304 miles per charge. The EREV powertrain could double that.
Kia Will Offer a Range of Powertrain Options
The EREV powertrain won’t be the only one on offer when the new Telluride gets released. If it gets introduced for the next generation, it will join a more conventional hybrid.
Because the related second-gen Hyundai Palisade features an available 329-hp powertrain, experts expect that this will be the same power source used for the new Kia Telluride’s gas model. After all, the two SUVs are very closely related.
If Kia releases an EREV model of its popular three-row SUV alongside a new hybrid and a gas model, that will represent the widest diversity of powertrain options in any single-row SUV.
The Slow Takeover of Range Extenders
Kia is certainly not the only automaker experimenting with range-extending powertrains. The now-discontinued BMW i3 REx was an early example of a vehicle that utilized a range-extending powertrain.
The Ram 1500 Ramcharger is a more contemporary example of an extended-range vehicle that uses a gas engine as a generator. It has a targeted range of 690 miles thanks to its 3.6L V6 engine.
Though the BMW i3REx and the Ram 1500 Ramcharger both beat the Kia Telluride to the punch when it comes to introducing range extenders to the world, Kia’s three-row SUV would be one of the first in its class to incorporate the new technology.
What to Expect at the Kia Dealership
You shouldn’t expect to see an EREV Telluride hitting your local Kia dealership for some time. The second generation of the popular SUV is still under development.
Most people believe the new Telluride will be revealed by the end of 2025. Hopefully, the EREV powertrain will be an option. In the meantime, you can check out the current first-gen Kia Telluride and ask questions about the new one at your local dealer.
