Range Extender can be turned off / disabled via menu setting screen

[Stumpy]

A few here have speculated that the range extender can be disabled. We've got visual proof now that range extender can be turned off easily in the Scout's "Status" screen with the "Range Extender On/Off" toggle menu setting.

From -- 1st look at Infotainment Software UI -- Modes (Pet Mode, Camp Mode, Night Mode), Rear View Camera, 360 Degree Cameras, Range Extender On/Off

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

I was hoping for this. Allows me to have two trucks. Best of both worlds.

 

[antwon412]

I must be misunderstanding the purpose of this. Why would you want to disable your range extender?

does the range extender use the 150 miles of gas before it switches all to battery mode? I guess I assumed it would be the opposite. You would use all the battery and then when needed the extender mode would pop on to give you an extra 150 miles to make it to a recharging spot

 

[MrOzMan]

I was actually wondering if it could do that. Say you’re crossing a fairly deep river. You don’t have a snorkel to protect the generator. You switch the generator off, cross through the river in full electric mode, and no water goes into the intake.

 

[Scout997]

I must be misunderstanding the purpose of this. Why would you want to disable your range extender?

does the range extender use the 150 miles of gas before it switches all to battery mode? I guess I assumed it would be the opposite. You would use all the battery and then when needed the extender mode would pop on to give you an extra 150 miles to make it to a recharging spot

It's tough to say without understanding the implementation of the range extender. It's always good to have the option, the example MrOzman mentioned could happen. Having some experience with Rivian I'm less concerned about having a software option at launch than I am understanding the specs and compromises.

 

[MountainAlive]

I must be misunderstanding the purpose of this. Why would you want to disable your range extender?

does the range extender use the 150 miles of gas before it switches all to battery mode? I guess I assumed it would be the opposite. You would use all the battery and then when needed the extender mode would pop on to give you an extra 150 miles to make it to a recharging spot

I’m guessing this generator is probably 5-7kW charge rate. Maybe less. Its only purpose is to charge the main battery, not drive the vehicle. So you have to factor in how long it takes to charge the battery, while you’re driving and using the battery. This is probably why it needs to kick on as early as 150mi of driving. Then as you continue to drive there’s enough fuel to keep the generator going and charging the EV battery for the equivalent of another 350 miles (150+350).

 

[Rockside]

Here is my guess on how the Range Extender (RE) will work:

With RE Off
As long as you stay within the battery’s range or have access to charging… it’ll function like every other EV. For most days and for most drivers, this is the mode it’ll stay in for daily driving. You’ll get 3.5 miles avg per 1% battery drop.

With RE On; Battery at 35-100%
The battery will be supplemented by the generator with no output performance drop in the vehicle. The battery will simply be charging while being used… so battery % drops slower than without RE on. If turned on early in trip, you should have no drop in highway speeds for the whole 500 miles. You’ll get 5 miles avg for each 1% of battery drop.

With RE On; Battery below 35%
To prevent the battery from getting too low, performance of the vehicle will be throttled slightly to allow gas generator to slow the rate of battery depletion.

With RE On; Battery at 0% (or critically low)
Generator will charge battery at a rate that allows limited performance - approx. 42.9% max performance output. This is not ideal but would allow someone in a bad situation to limp along to find a charge or get home.

It is not my opinion that just by having gasoline you can drive infinitely with this vehicle. The gas has to have time to charge the battery. It is not more efficient than the battery - meaning a moving vehicle will always show battery loss - even with generator running. The vehicle would have to remain off to see battery charge upward.

 

[chopsui]

It is not more efficient than the battery - meaning a moving vehicle will always show battery loss - even with generator running. The vehicle would have to remain off to see battery charge upward.

I think this is the point that an awful lot of people are missing.

 

[commadorebob]

Here is my guess on how the Range Extender (RE) will work:

With RE Off
As long as you stay within the battery’s range or have access to charging… it’ll function like every other EV. For most days and for most drivers, this is the mode it’ll stay in for daily driving. You’ll get 3.5 miles avg per 1% battery drop.

With RE On; Battery at 35-100%
The battery will be supplemented by the generator with no output performance drop in the vehicle. The battery will simply be charging while being used… so battery % drops slower than without RE on. If turned on early in trip, you should have no drop in highway speeds for the whole 500 miles. You’ll get 5 miles avg for each 1% of battery drop.

With RE On; Battery below 35%
To prevent the battery from getting too low, performance of the vehicle will be throttled slightly to allow gas generator to slow the rate of battery depletion.

With RE On; Battery at 0% (or critically low)
Generator will charge battery at a rate that allows limited performance - approx. 42.9% max performance output. This is not ideal but would allow someone in a bad situation to limp along to find a charge or get home.

It is not my opinion that just by having gasoline you can drive infinitely with this vehicle. The gas has to have time to charge the battery. It is not more efficient than the battery - meaning a moving vehicle will always show battery loss - even with generator running. The vehicle would have to remain off to see battery charge upward.

I like this breakdown but I disagree with the final paragraph. My opinion is the RE will charge the battery but it's primary purpose is to provide enough power to the vehicle to keep it moving. So, at a minimum I believe the generator will have the same max output power as the wheels.

I do not think it will drive and charge simultaneously. But given they are advertising the fact you can "fill up anywhere" in relation to either power or gas leads me to believe the range is unlimited as long as you have gas.

Of course, until we see specs, we don't really know.

 

[Howard]

I was actually wondering if it could do that. Say you’re crossing a fairly deep river. You don’t have a snorkel to protect the generator. You switch the generator off, cross through the river in full electric mode, and no water goes into the intake.

BIG ASSUMPTION here. Do you think the electronics are waterproofed enough to handle water deep enough to need a snorkel?

 

[MrOzMan]

BIG ASSUMPTION here. Do you think the electronics are waterproofed enough to handle water deep enough to need a snorkel?

Not really an assumption (big or small). They’re saying almost 3’ water depth (that is really good). Hopefully the generator allows operation at that depth also. But switching it off wouldn’t be a bad idea for a crossing.

 

[chopsui]

So, at a minimum I believe the generator will have the same max output power as the wheels.

They've said the max torque of the EV is 1000+ ft/lbs. Based on similar number from Rivian, we can guess on the order of 800hp. The gas generator will not produce anywhere near that kind of power.

 

[gultin]

Here is my guess on how the Range Extender (RE) will work:

With RE Off
As long as you stay within the battery’s range or have access to charging… it’ll function like every other EV. For most days and for most drivers, this is the mode it’ll stay in for daily driving. You’ll get 3.5 miles avg per 1% battery drop.

With RE On; Battery at 35-100%
The battery will be supplemented by the generator with no output performance drop in the vehicle. The battery will simply be charging while being used… so battery % drops slower than without RE on. If turned on early in trip, you should have no drop in highway speeds for the whole 500 miles. You’ll get 5 miles avg for each 1% of battery drop.

With RE On; Battery below 35%
To prevent the battery from getting too low, performance of the vehicle will be throttled slightly to allow gas generator to slow the rate of battery depletion.

With RE On; Battery at 0% (or critically low)
Generator will charge battery at a rate that allows limited performance - approx. 42.9% max performance output. This is not ideal but would allow someone in a bad situation to limp along to find a charge or get home.

It is not my opinion that just by having gasoline you can drive infinitely with this vehicle. The gas has to have time to charge the battery. It is not more efficient than the battery - meaning a moving vehicle will always show battery loss - even with generator running. The vehicle would have to remain off to see battery charge upward.

Seems like a significant amount of compromise to be able to handle niche scenarios, where EV charging/planning isn't an option. Not a tradeoff that I'd personally make, but I can understand there would be folks that may want the option.

 

[Rockside]

Seems like a significant amount of compromise to be able to handle niche scenarios, where EV charging/planning isn't an option. Not a tradeoff that I'd personally make, but I can understand there would be folks that may want the option.

I think it’s a “tool” for those that need it. Nothing more. I cannot possibly imagine the generator will provide enough output for infinite range with no drop in performance. I think some think this is an engine. But it’s just a gas powered battery charger. You just can’t tow a trailer or drive 80 mph and think you’ll drive over 500 miles without stopping to charge.

 

[Foobar]

I think it’s a “tool” for those that need it. Nothing more. I cannot possibly imagine the generator will provide enough output for infinite range with no drop in performance. I think some think this is an engine. But it’s just a gas powered battery charger. You just can’t tow a trailer or drive 80 mph and think you’ll drive over 500 miles without stopping to charge.

The real question for me is can I tow for 250 miles and then refuel with gas and keep going, or do I still need to charge at a charging station? If I can truly “recharge anywhere” with the range extender, then I’d happily accept 250 miles while towing and then needing to refuel.