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Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine
Wall Street Journal ^ | Sept. 6, 2026 | Christopher Otts

Posted on 09/08/2026 4:59:11 AM PDT by Skwor

The auto industry has a new solution to Americans’ fear that electric vehicles will run out of juice: a gasoline engine.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: canada; ccp; china; ntsa; wallstreeturinal
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To: 556x45

I rented a bmw x2 in Italy . When I left the airport the range was 1,260 kilometers or 750 miles. It is a diesel hybrid. Gas rules !


61 posted on 09/08/2026 8:30:25 AM PDT by brookwood (First the left said it was OK to steal. Next they said it was OK to kill and autis)
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To: Skwor

My wife has driven hybrid SUVs for 20 years. By leasing the vehicle the higher initial cost of the hybrid is lessened and at nearly 40 mph the cost of driving is quite reasonable. I was very skeptical of hybrid technology, but the various hybrids SUVs she has driven have had no problem with either the engines or hybrid drive. The only significant drawback is that during very cold weather gas mileage drops by roughly 25%.

The use of a small gasoline engine driving a generator to keep the battery topped off has been tried in the Chevy Volt. How practical this arrangement would be is yet to be seen. However, on one below zero day I passed a Chevy Volt on the freeway with its windows frosted over except a small area in the windshield and its small gasoline engine screaming trying to keep the battery charged.


62 posted on 09/08/2026 8:32:42 AM PDT by The Great RJ
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To: Chickensoup

> Don’t they already have that?

> Called a hybrid?

Yes. Hybrids combine the best of both worlds. I wish I’d bought an Ioniq while it was still available as a plug in hybrid. The gas mileage was insanely good. The new Ioniq’s are electric only, which sucks.


63 posted on 09/08/2026 8:47:50 AM PDT by VictoryGal (Never give up, never surrender!)
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To: Skwor

An electric vehicle has some attraction to me, but I think the giant battery only lasts for about 10 years and it costs $10,000 to replace. Open to corrections.


64 posted on 09/08/2026 8:48:06 AM PDT by libertylover (The HBM (Has Been Media) is almost all AGENDA-DRIVEN and HATE-DRIVEN, not-truth driven)
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To: Skwor

They can make a many flammable hydrocarbons (including “gasoline”) using atmospheric CO2 and water. Not on scale, yet. Drilling and oil rich nations will no longer have a monopoly.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dw-plpAoEGd0&ved=2ahUKEwiVssOdrd-WAxUXIUQIHQCROVoQwqsBegQIFxAB&usg=AOvVaw17Drzj07uYlJoSXtVgF-4r
Porsche is working in big green gas project in Chile.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DEHyZu_SqyOk&ved=2ahUKEwiR1OyOrt-WAxX4BEQIHb7-KLEQwqsBegQIaxAB&usg=AOvVaw2wzdu098zdU-4GWn30vqTD

Let the benighted climate change dip-$h*ts rage and glue themselves to asphalt, while smart folk invent solutions.


65 posted on 09/08/2026 9:11:09 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: VictoryGal

Yes, but support for the hybrid and repairs and replacement of parts would have ratcheted down after “plug-in Ioniq” went down the tubes.


66 posted on 09/08/2026 9:13:40 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: PreciousLiberty

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://pack-logix.com/blog/the-down-and-dirty-blog-electric-vehicle-oil-and-fluids/&ved=2ahUKEwiNnom1sd-WAxUBkO4BHYMvK6YQmL8OegoIAggACAEIJRAP&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw2AkyTehxn1q_5quYp16ZOW&ust=1788970723291000

Special oils and lubricants needed in EV’S.

EV’s need novel radiator system to cool battery pack during operation and charging.

Well, yes, you won’t need “standard” car services, but don’t think heat and friction disappeared with EV’s


67 posted on 09/08/2026 9:26:23 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: PAR35

“I know you want weight on the front of the trailer, but shouldn’t that generator be a little further back, closer to the wheels?”

the guy bought an EV, so it’s not surprising he doesn’t know how to load a trailer ...


68 posted on 09/08/2026 9:28:04 AM PDT by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: Skwor

The generator may not need gasoline if it’s only a generator. Probably any combustible hydrocarbon would do.


69 posted on 09/08/2026 9:35:02 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: catnipman

It’s the dumb*ss journalists who want to couch it as a new idea. Cause,well,they’re dumb.


70 posted on 09/08/2026 9:38:35 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: Skwor

I just accidentally got a hybrid F-150. It’s my new company car. I asked for a 3.5 liter Ecoboost and our fleet person ordered a 3.5 liter powerboost.

As I left the dealership I saw something on the dash about electric and realized their mistake.

I’ve only had it a couple weeks. I’m prepared to hate it


71 posted on 09/08/2026 9:40:51 AM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: Skwor

I just accidentally got a hybrid F-150. It’s my new company car. I asked for a 3.5 liter Ecoboost and our fleet person ordered a 3.5 liter powerboost.

As I left the dealership I saw something on the dash about electric and realized their mistake.

I’ve only had it a couple weeks. I’m prepared to hate it


72 posted on 09/08/2026 9:40:55 AM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: Skwor

I just accidentally got a hybrid F-150. It’s my new company car. I asked for a 3.5 liter Ecoboost and our fleet person ordered a 3.5 liter powerboost.

As I left the dealership I saw something on the dash about electric and realized their mistake.

I’ve only had it a couple weeks. I’m prepared to hate it


73 posted on 09/08/2026 9:40:57 AM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: Skwor

I just accidentally got a hybrid F-150. It’s my new company car. I asked for a 3.5 liter Ecoboost and our fleet person ordered a 3.5 liter powerboost.

As I left the dealership I saw something on the dash about electric and realized their mistake.

I’ve only had it a couple weeks. I’m prepared to hate it


74 posted on 09/08/2026 9:41:01 AM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: Libloather
I have an idea - a gasoline engine without an electric motor.

And a crank to start it!

75 posted on 09/08/2026 9:45:25 AM PDT by Fresh Wind
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To: lizma2

I used to get 56 mpg in my gas powered, manual trans, 2009 Chevy cobalt EFX model on freeway, averaging 60mpH...for 85 miles at least. Very little “hypermiling” done. If the engine had been a more efficient , smaller engine, and the gearing a bit taller, and the coefficient of drag less, and the tires R16 instead of R15, I could have done better.

Chevy Cruze, manual trans Diesels are reported as 70mpg on the highway.


76 posted on 09/08/2026 9:48:13 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: fuzzylogic

We own the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sedan which is gas driven with electric assist and get 40mpg with this configuration. Braking recharges the battery kinda like the F-1 engines today. Mrs loves her Lincoln and its one of the few American sedans out there, although Lincoln stopped making the MKZ in 2020.


77 posted on 09/08/2026 9:48:26 AM PDT by abigkahuna
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To: ClearCase_guy

Stellantis has been pushing this for a few years.

Their EV Extended range Charger ended up with an estimated 10mpg less then their ICE Only Model.

So you are paying for more fuel for the same range. Plus all the EV Software BS.


78 posted on 09/08/2026 10:06:23 AM PDT by SPDSHDW (A sinner saved by Jesus)
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To: ClearCase_guy

Stellantis has been pushing this for a few years.

Their EV Extended range Charger ended up with an estimated 10mpg less then their ICE Only Model.

So you are paying for more fuel for the same range. Plus all the EV Software BS.


79 posted on 09/08/2026 10:06:25 AM PDT by SPDSHDW (A sinner saved by Jesus)
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To: catnipman

Good point.


80 posted on 09/08/2026 10:27:32 AM PDT by PAR35
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