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9/27/2026As new powertrain technologies enter the automotive market, understanding the differences between fully electric vehicles, hybrids and systems such as REEV has become increasingly important.
Al-Laith Al-Obeidi, the official distributor of ROX vehicles in Iraq, is introducing this technology through the brand’s local line-up. In this interview, Ratib Abdo, Marketing and Customer Experience Manager at Al-Laith Al-Obeidi, explains how REEV works, how it differs from other powertrain technologies, and what it could mean for Iraqi motorists in terms of range, charging, performance, everyday use and intercity travel.
The discussion is divided into five sections covering the technology itself, energy management, the differences between REEV, hybrid and battery-electric vehicles, as well as its potential relevance to the Iraqi market.
01 | What does the REEV technology used in ROX vehicles mean, and how does its operating principle differ from conventional electric vehicles?
Answer: REEV technology in ROX vehicles means "Range Extended Electric Vehicle", where the vehicle operates entirely on electricity, but there is a small petrol engine that works only as a generator to charge the battery when its level is low, providing a range exceeding 1,100 km and eliminating range anxiety. This is fundamentally different from conventional electric vehicles, which rely exclusively on the battery and charging stations. The petrol engine never drives the wheels; it acts as an electricity generator to charge the battery while driving.
02 | What is the main benefit of using REEV technology, and how does the vehicle combine an electric driving experience with an engine that works as a power generator?
Answer: The main benefit of REEV technology is that it gives you a pure electric driving experience while eliminating the concern associated with battery depletion, thanks to the presence of a small petrol engine that works as a power generator when needed. In other words, the vehicle combines the advantages of a conventional electric vehicle (quietness, instant torque, smooth driving) with the peace of mind provided by having a generator that supplies power to the battery if a charging station is unavailable or the battery runs out during the journey. The vehicle combines the electric driving experience with an engine that works as a power generator, meaning that the propulsion is entirely electric, meaning the wheels move only through the electric motors, so there is no mechanical connection between the petrol engine and the wheels, and the petrol engine works as a generator when the battery charge is low; the petrol engine starts to generate electricity and recharge the battery while driving. The result is that you enjoy pure electric driving for daily distances (usually 200–250 km on the battery alone), and when travelling long distances, the petrol generator increases the range to more than 1,100 km without the need to stop for a long charging session.
03 | What is the difference between REEV vehicles and conventional hybrid vehicles, and does the driving and ownership experience differ clearly between the two?
Answer: To simplify and clarify matters, the fundamental difference between REEV vehicles and conventional hybrids (Hybrid) is that REEV gives you a completely pure electric driving experience, while a conventional hybrid remains essentially a petrol vehicle supported by an auxiliary electric motor. This makes the driving experience clearly different: REEV feels like driving a pure electric vehicle, while a hybrid is closer to an improved petrol vehicle.
To explain it briefly:
REEV: You feel as though you are driving a fully electric vehicle, with a very long range thanks to the petrol generator. It is suitable for someone who wants a genuine electric experience without range anxiety.
Hybrid: It remains closer to an improved petrol vehicle, where the petrol engine remains the main component and electricity is simply additional support. It is suitable for someone who wants to save fuel without the need for external charging.
04 | Does using the internal-combustion engine as a power generator, rather than directly driving the wheels, change the driving experience or the vehicle’s efficiency?
Answer: Yes, using the internal-combustion engine as a power generator instead of directly driving the wheels clearly changes the driving experience and vehicle efficiency.
If we compare the driving experience, we see that in REEV the propulsion is always electric, meaning the driving feel is like a pure electric vehicle: quietness, instant acceleration and smooth movement, while the petrol engine does not intervene in propulsion. Therefore, you do not feel changes between systems or vibrations as you do in conventional hybrid vehicles.
In a conventional Hybrid, sometimes the electric motor operates alone, sometimes the petrol engine does, and sometimes both work together. This creates noticeable transitions between systems, particularly during acceleration or when climbing hills.
When discussing efficiency, in REEV the petrol engine operates only as a generator under relatively steady conditions, which makes it more efficient than operating it directly to drive the wheels. The battery is used first, and then the generator intervenes when needed, reducing fuel consumption compared with a conventional hybrid. As for Hybrid, the petrol engine remains an essential part of propulsion, so fuel consumption is relatively higher. Efficiency depends on driving conditions (city driving is better, highways are lower).
The result is clear. With REEV, driving is closer to a pure electric vehicle, with very long range thanks to the generator. With Hybrid, driving is closer to a petrol vehicle enhanced by electricity, offering fuel savings but without a pure electric experience.
In short, using the engine only as a generator is what makes REEV fundamentally different, because it maintains a full electric driving experience and increases efficiency, while conventional hybrids remain a combination of petrol and electric propulsion.
05 | Range and charging are among the key considerations with electric vehicles. How does ROX address this through REEV technology?
Answer: Correct, range and charging are the biggest challenges with electric vehicles, and here the strength of REEV technology in ROX vehicles becomes clear.
ROX addresses the range and charging issue through pure electric range as follows:
The practical result is:
Short daily journeys: They rely only on the battery, without any fuel consumption.
Long journeys: You do not need to stop for hours at a charging station, because the generator supplies energy to the battery and allows the journey to continue.
ROX vehicles with REEV technology give you the best of both worlds: pure electric driving in your daily life and very long-range travel thanks to the generator, without being restricted by charging stations.
06 | If the battery is fully charged, how does the vehicle manage energy while driving, and exactly when does the petrol engine intervene as a generator?
Answer: If the battery is fully charged, a REEV vehicle such as ROX operates exactly like a pure electric vehicle. Propulsion comes exclusively from the battery and electric motors, giving you instant acceleration and quiet driving without any intervention from the petrol engine. At this stage, the petrol engine remains completely switched off and consumes no fuel because the vehicle does not need it.
As for the intervention of the petrol engine as a generator, this occurs when the battery level drops to a certain point (usually below 20–30%, depending on the system programming). During long journeys or when driving at high speeds for extended periods, the petrol engine begins operating as an electricity generator to recharge the battery while driving. It never directly drives the wheels; its role is limited to generating electricity.
The practical result is that in daily city use, you will generally not need to run the petrol engine because the battery is sufficient for 200–250 km. But during travel or on long roads, the petrol engine starts automatically to provide a range exceeding 1,100 km without stopping to charge. This system ensures that the driving experience remains fully electric, while the generator operates in the background only when needed. The vehicle starts as a pure electric vehicle and remains so, while the petrol engine is simply a safeguard for long-range travel.
07 | For the Iraqi customer, especially given the different distances and travel conditions between provinces, how can REEV technology be practical and suitable for everyday needs?
Answer: For the Iraqi customer, REEV technology in ROX vehicles is considered highly practical because it addresses the main everyday challenges associated with long distances and travel between provinces.
Why is REEV suitable for Iraq? Quite simply:
Very long range:
The battery is sufficient for daily city driving (200–250 km). When travelling between provinces, the petrol generator increases the total range to more than 1,100 km without the need to stop for long charging sessions.
Flexibility with infrastructure:
Since charging stations are limited or not sufficiently widespread in some areas, having a generator eliminates concern about running out of battery power.
Adaptation to roads and travel conditions:
Long journeys or unexpected travel do not pose a problem because the vehicle remains electric in its driving characteristics and the generator ensures the journey can continue.
Economic and environmental:
In daily city use, it relies only on electricity (lower cost and almost zero emissions). During travel, fuel consumption is lower than conventional vehicles because the engine operates efficiently as a generator rather than directly driving the wheels.
The benefit for the Iraqi customer is clear: pure electric driving in cities such as Baghdad or Erbil, and peace of mind when travelling to distant provinces such as Basra or Mosul, where the generator covers any lack of charging infrastructure, together with fuel savings compared with conventional vehicles and a modern, quiet driving experience.
REEV technology is the ideal solution for the Iraqi environment because it combines a daily electric driving experience in cities with a very long range for intercity travel without complete dependence on charging stations.
08 | In terms of performance, what does the REEV system in ROX vehicles offer compared with a conventional vehicle in the same segment, particularly in acceleration, quietness and driving experience?
Answer: From a performance perspective, the REEV system in ROX vehicles offers a completely different experience from a conventional vehicle in the same segment, particularly in acceleration, quietness and the overall feeling while driving.
Acceleration
REEV (ROX): Propulsion is fully electric, meaning instant torque from the first press of the accelerator. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is around 5.5 seconds, which is close to sports cars.
Conventional vehicle (petrol/diesel): Acceleration depends on engine revolutions and gear changes, so response is slower and less smooth.
Quietness
REEV (ROX): Driving is almost silent in the city because the petrol engine only operates when needed to charge the battery. Even when the generator is running, the sound is low because it operates at a steady level rather than varying like a propulsion engine.
Conventional vehicle (petrol/diesel): Engine noise is always audible, particularly during acceleration or uphill driving. There is more vibration because the engine is directly connected to the wheels.
Driving experience
REEV (ROX): A pure electric feeling: smoothness, instant torque and seamless driving without gear shifts. There is no transition between systems as in conventional hybrids because propulsion is always electric.
Conventional vehicle (petrol/diesel): It relies on a mechanical transmission, which creates interruptions in acceleration. Driving is less smooth and noisier.
The conclusion is that REEV vehicles such as ROX provide performance close to pure electric vehicles, with strong acceleration and quiet driving, while the conventional vehicle remains limited by the traditional mechanical engine and transmission. The difference is very clear in terms of feel: REEV = modern electric driving, conventional = classic driving based on the engine and gears.
09 | What are the main benefits for an ROX owner in Iraq in terms of daily use, travel and fuel consumption?
Answer: For the Iraqi customer, an ROX owner with REEV technology receives a number of practical and direct benefits in daily life and travel between provinces, including:
Daily city use
Pure electric driving: Most daily trips (200–250 km) are completed on the battery alone, without any fuel consumption.
Lower cost: Charging the battery at home or at the office is much cheaper than refuelling.
Quietness and comfort: Driving is almost silent, with smooth and immediate acceleration.
Travel between provinces
Very long range: Thanks to the petrol generator, total range exceeds 1,100 km, eliminating the need for long stops at charging stations that are not widely available.
Peace of mind: Even if a charging station is not available along the route, the generator ensures that the journey can continue without interruption.
Flexibility with conditions: Long-distance or unexpected travel is not an obstacle because the vehicle combines electricity and fuel intelligently.
Fuel consumption
In cities: Almost zero fuel because you rely on the battery.
On long trips: Lower consumption than conventional vehicles because the petrol engine operates efficiently as a generator rather than directly driving the wheels.
Actual savings: Compared with a conventional SUV, fuel expenses decrease significantly over the long term.
The main benefit for the Iraqi customer is enjoying a modern electric driving experience in cities with a very long range for travel between provinces without concern about running out of battery, together with fuel savings compared with conventional vehicles. In addition to daily driving comfort and quietness, and high flexibility with the current charging infrastructure in Iraq. An ROX owner in Iraq gets a vehicle that combines the economy of electricity with the practicality of fuel, making it a smart option for daily life and long-distance travel.
10 | As Al-Laith Al-Obeidi is the official distributor of ROX vehicles in Iraq, how are you preparing to educate Iraqi customers about this new technology, particularly as REEV may be different from the technologies the market is familiar with?
Answer: For Al-Laith Al-Obeidi to be able to educate the Iraqi customer about the new REEV technology, especially since it differs from the systems the market is familiar with (petrol, diesel, or Hybrid), there are practical and direct steps that can be adopted:
Awareness and education
Introductory sessions at showrooms: A live demonstration explaining how REEV works, with an explanation that the petrol engine does not drive the wheels but only works as a generator.
Free test drives: Allowing the customer to experience for themselves the difference in acceleration and quietness compared with conventional vehicles.
Technical workshops: Providing short seminars explaining the difference between REEV, Hybrid and pure BEV electric vehicles.
Media campaigns
Educational videos: Short content on social media platforms explaining simply “how you drive electric without range anxiety”.
Comparisons using figures: Highlighting the long driving range (more than 1,100 km) compared with conventional electric vehicles.
Real stories: Sharing experiences of Iraqi customers who have used the vehicle for travel between provinces.
Practical support
After-sales services: Training technicians to maintain the REEV system and explain it to customers.
Clear warranties: Highlighting that the presence of a petrol engine as a generator makes the vehicle safer under Iraqi conditions.
Fuel-saving guidance: Explaining that daily city use relies only on electricity, which reduces expenses.
The main message we want to convey to the Iraqi customer is that ROX REEV technology provides pure electric driving within cities, a very long range for travel between provinces without concern about battery depletion, fuel savings and lower maintenance compared with conventional vehicles, and high flexibility with the current charging infrastructure in Iraq. Education should focus on the fact that REEV is the smart solution for Iraq because it combines a modern electric experience with peace of mind on long journeys.
11 | Finally, if we want to explain the idea to the Iraqi customer in one simple sentence, what makes an ROX vehicle equipped with REEV technology different from a conventional vehicle or a fully electric vehicle, and why could it be a practical option?
Answer: The sentence that simply summarizes the idea is: "An ROX vehicle equipped with REEV technology gives you pure electric driving every day with a range exceeding one thousand kilometres for long-distance travel, combining fuel savings and peace of mind without complete dependence on charging stations."
The interview provides an overview of how Al-Laith Al-Obeidi presents REEV technology in the Iraqi market, with the focus on combining electric propulsion with extended driving range. For consumers, understanding how the system operates, how charging works, its actual fuel consumption, maintenance requirements and the availability of local support remain important factors when comparing REEV with other powertrain options.
As the Iraqi automotive market continues to see a wider range of powertrain technologies, clear explanations of how these systems work can help buyers better understand the differences between them and assess which characteristics are relevant to their own driving patterns.
For the latest automotive news, new powertrain technologies and developments in Iraq and around the world, follow Sayarat.iq. To explore ROX and other vehicles available in the Iraqi market, visit iQ Cars.
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