The market for cars fitted with range extender technology is set to accelerate according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan.

The Strategic Analysis of Global Market for Range Extenders report estimates that the total market for extended range vehicles will increase to almost 330,000 units globally by 2018.

There will be 14 range extender models from various manufacturers available by 2018 with different applications, but Frost & Sullivan believes 77% will be internal combustion range extenders.

While the take up for pure electric vehicles has been limited, Frost & Sullivan believe range extenders avoid problems with range anxiety and charging times.

Prajyot Sathe, Frost & Sullivan automotive and transportation research associate, said: “Range extender technologies overcome the major challenge of range anxiety and extended times taken to charge, by generating onboard electricity with the help of different technologies such as internal combustion engine, fuel cell stack and micro-gas turbine.

“There is a major focus on engine downsizing which will help lower costs and lead to exponential calibration and optimisation complexity, as the same level of detail and features can be retained even though the vehicle is downsized.”

The market for range extenders is expected to develop at a rapid rate as major OEMs have models lined up to be launched within the next three years. Fuel cell vehicles are expected to be commercialised by 2015.

Sathe said: "Such trends will have a positive ripple effect on the uptake of extender range technologies."