Towing with an EV

[jdarwin]

I read this article this morning on Yahoo finance and thought I'd pass it along. It doesn't appear EVs will be doing much towing.





https://finance.yahoo.com/news/truck...143000359.html

[DQDick]

Even after they can tow small trailers it will be a while before an affordable truck that can tow a Monty will arrive on the market.

[BB_TX]

Until there is some incredible breakthrough in battery technology, EV is going to be relegated to local and commuter vehicles and short range trips of 200-300 miles or less. But EV for towing and long travel excursions is still a long ways away.

[Our3231CK]

Unless the temperature is above 60 the batteries will loose power and not give the performance they are currently advertising. An EV with stats for 300 mile range as the temperature drops, so does the range, by 50% when you get to zero deg. It's going to take a major break through, possibly decades to get something reliable for anyone living north of the snow line. That's not even taking into account the load of towing.
In theory its a wonderful idea, our science though has not caught up to the expectations yet. As a retired electrical engineer, it will be a while before i invest in one. I'll buy when the major bugs and additional expenses are no longer an issue.

[mlh]

I live in western Va. I followed a Tesla into town today from Florida. They are at the charging station all the time getting charged. So it can be done. I would consider one for my wife but we still need more charging stations. There are lots of places we go that we could get there but couldn’t get back home.
Lynwood

[phillyg]

They're not really ready for prime time. Also, flooded EVs here in FL are catching fire, and it apparently takes 800 gallons of water and a couple of hours to put out a battery fire.

[77cruiser]

An EV reminds of these.

[AZ Traveler]

I have read that EV semi trucks are not very far away - it is interesting to watch new technology. There are more charging stations on the road every day.

[artfuldodger]

Where is all the power coming from to charge millions of EVs? We already have brown outs when everyone turns on their AC. Now imagine it's 6 PM and every vehicle on the street is at home and plugged in. Those plug ins are 220 volts and heavy amperage. The infrastructure changes to deliver enough juice for millions of EVs will be incredible. What is the fuel going to be at the generating stations ; gas, oil, coal, or nuclear? Those sources are all heavily criticized by environmental scientists. Solar and wind generation is nowhere close to being able to generate the power that will be needed. A large part of the answer to meeting our power needs will be on the other side of the equation, reduced need by changing our culture . Rving will be no more, houses will be considerably colder in winter and warmer in summer, and long commutes to work will be unaffordable. Shipping stuff all over the world will be too expensive to make sense. IMHO anyway.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

I have read that EV semi trucks are not very far away - it is interesting to watch new technology. There are more charging stations on the road every day.

Volvo builds their tractor trailers here and has one EV out on the road. A local company bought it for its short distance delivery. I think it was more or less a test truck. They made a big deal or it when it was delivered. I can’t remember how much it would save the company in fuel but it was a lot. They charge it at night and run it all day.
Lynwood

[DutchmenSport]

I didn't read the article, but I think anyone towing a trailer already knows EV won't work for that job. Although, there will be many, many who will try and then we'll have countless threads on these RV and camping forums, "Can my EV pull this trailer?" I'm looking forward to the snarly remarks then!

[77cruiser]

Tell them it will fine fine to get to the other side of the street.

[Foldbak]

Small EV cars are one thing but heavy equipment? We're being forced into a technology 25 years too soon. We just got solar on RV's for Christs sake, and it's only good if the suns out. I was running my gen all last weekend because of fog. The tech isn't there yet nor is the infrastructure! What a joke.

[Mikendebbie]

I have always been fascinated with cars of the future. Seems like they used to have to do more artist's renderings rather than an actual photo op. I did not think I would ever own one of these...still don't think so.

[dfb]

The NEW proposals about EVs even in California DOES NOT INCLUDE HD PICKUPS>.. so ... don't worry about it...

[mhs4771]

True, but Calif is already proposing to include HD Pickups and Semis.
They end up banning and end up starving because no one will come into the State.
The really scary thing is the Fed Gov is looking to follow their example for the entire Country.

[Foldbak]

Ca is a joke. I've lived here my whole life and if I wasn't so embedded I would love to move elsewhere.

[Hblick48]

My Tesla Model S is my daily driver. Absolutely love the car. Have 220+ mileage range which is great for around town. I share my electric dryer circuit with the Tesla charger (Dryer Buddy), so I always charge at midnight (special electric rate). Took it out of town once, spent 20 minutes at a Supercharger and got home.

No current electric vehicle is suitable for towing any decent sized trailer a reasonable distance. At best you'll get 100 miles towing. The Tesla Semi can haul huge weights for 500 miles, and it's priced less than some of the F350/3500 top of the line pickups. You'll have to wait a few years to get one.

At some point, someone will build an electric pickup capable of towing a heavy trailer a reasonable distance. Perhaps the RV industry will work with the auto manufactures to incorporate an additional battery in the RV that would hook to the tow vehicle. 50 amp Campground power is great for charging batteries overnight. We sure need to upgrade our electrical infrastructure to charge all these vehicles. Don't know if I'll live that long.

Needless to say, I upgraded from a 2005 F250 6.0 to a 2017 F350 6.7. Not quite like driving the Tesla, but the 2017 is light years better than the 2005.

[Superchief05]

Originally Posted by mlh

Volvo builds their tractor trailers here and has one EV out on the road. A local company bought it for its short distance delivery. I think it was more or less a test truck. They made a big deal or it when it was delivered. I can’t remember how much it would save the company in fuel but it was a lot. They charge it at night and run it all day.
Lynwood

I just saw an article that the Tesla Semi’s will be on the roads next year. According to the article the truck has a 300 mile range, and the expectation would be that drivers take their mandatory breaks during recharge periods. I still don’t think these vehicles make sense for OTR trucking.

[bshgto]

they tried to be nice in their review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FmUcVHEJME