Raser Technologies announced results from a recent test drive demonstrating over 50 miles of all-electric range by its electric Hummer H3E during a preliminary road test.

The course used for the test included a combination of city and highway driving with an average speed of 45 mph and with speeds up to 60 mph. The 40-mile electric-only range test is significant because a majority of Americans drive fewer than 40 miles a day.

When driving beyond 40 miles, the vehicle’s range extender would automatically generate the electricity needed to drive up to 400 miles.

The range extender consists of a small gas powered engine which kicks in only to re-charge the batteries.
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The electric Hummer H3 E-REV (extended range electric vehicle) is the first range-extended electric vehicle based on a full-sized SUV. The Raser scalable plug-in series hybrid design provides 40+ mile all-electric range and 100+ mpg fuel economy.

Unveiled in April at the 2009 SAE World Congress, the electric Hummer H3 is propelled entirely on electricity by Raser’s Symetron 200kW advanced AC induction motor connected to a 4WD automatic transmission. A 100 kW Rase Symetron generator, driven by a GM Ecotec 2.0L SIDI turbocharged engine provides electrical power. A liquid-cooled, 41 kWh lithium-ion battery pack operates at 700V and provides the energy storage.

Although a full-sized SUV, the concept has been achieved with only minimal sacrifice of acceleration performance, cargo space, or towing capacity.

Additional utility is provided by the availability of exportable AC power generation, making the vehicle ideally suited for use as a utility company service truck or emergency service vehicle.