125 replies to this topic

[just me again]

I thought that fast charging would be an issue as there is coming more EV's on the road.
But with the amount of Fastchargers there is coming day for day. I do not anymore think lack of chargers is an issue. Lack of profitable chargers might be an issue for the firms putting them up!!!

[MikeTekRacing]

There are still places in the sparsely populated states and in Canada where I would not take an EV, depending on the route. I would just rent an ICE. 

 

It's easy to know beforehand by using the Tesla route planner. 

there are still usecases where it really doesn't make sense. Towing a trailer cross country etc. 

 

But most of the driving on the roads, overall is driving that could be done by an EV.

[GreenMachine]

Agree, but in a big country the distribution outside the population centres and main trunk routes is still an issue.  This affects the locals less, because they are only doing shortish trips from a home base, but for the long distance traveller it can create difficulties.

 

I see EVs with towballs, but haven't yet seen an EV with a trailer which is a little surprising.  The trip to the dump is an institution here, having an EV should not stop them joining in.  Not expecting to see one towing a big caravan from Melbourne to Cairns though.

[Magoo]

EV pickups are fine for towing. They certainly have the capacity. The problem is range. We tend to assume that towing always involves considerable distances but that  is not  usually the case, at least in my part of the world. 

 

An EV pickup is ideal for towing the pleasure boat to the local dock, or the camping trailer to an area campground for the summer (which is how people tend to do it around here.)

 

I would think landscaping services would be perfect candidates for EV trucks. 

[Catalina Park]

I've seen plenty of EVs towing trailers on the Hume Highway. Mostly Teslas but some Hyundais.
I was talking to a bloke towing a small caravan behind his Kia. He was most impressed.

[cbo]

EVs are great for towing- except for range. Basically, you loose half the range towing a caravan and very few chargers can be acessed with the trailer atrached.
So stop every 200 km, unhitch and dump the trailer, drive to the charger, charge, drive back to the trailer and hitch it on again.

On many European highway stops, that will also require you to drive against traffic on one-way access roads.....

This is the main reason that I do not have an EV yet. But things are slowly changing.

[Magoo]

At the local Supercharger I met a couple pulling a small  Airstream camper across the country with an older Tesla S. When I asked about range the man said, "We're not on a schedule." 

[cbo]

At the local Supercharger I met a couple pulling a small Airstream camper across the country with an older Tesla S. When I asked about range the man said, "We're not on a schedule."

😄

[Lee Nicolle]

Govt subsidy, government subsidy, at least 7 times.

[gruntguru]

Don't be greedy - you can only have one subsidy per EV.

In South Australia its $3k plus free rego for 3 years. https://www.treasury...ectric-vehicles

 

Perhaps a 5% - 8% discount?

Edited by gruntguru, 18 September 2023 - 22:22.

[mariner]

I am sure Lee and Greg know more but I think many Australian garages used to rent out trailers.as a side business 

 

Maybe there is market for a tool/ equipment rental business like Sunbelt to rent out trailer generator sets for any EV owners heading for the "wilderness"

 

Not to be used on road but pull up, start it up and have meal anywhere , then drive on. 

 

Most such rental companies carry a supply of portable AC output generators so just mount it one a simple trailer and hire it out - Magoo can the go to top of Michigan Upper Peninsula in his Tesla !!

[GreenMachine]

I am sure Lee and Greg know more but I think many Australian garages used to rent out trailers.as a side business 

 

Maybe there is market for a tool/ equipment rental business like Sunbelt to rent out trailer generator sets for any EV owners heading for the "wilderness"

 

Not to be used on road but pull up, start it up and have meal anywhere , then drive on. 

 

Most such rental companies carry a supply of portable AC output generators so just mount it one a simple trailer and hire it out - Magoo can the go to top of Michigan Upper Peninsula in his Tesla !!

 

IIRC you or A N Other made this suggestion previously, probably in a different thread.  The economics of this would be very different, as (obviously) the market.  Range extenders would be limited to the few who were travelling long (ultra long?) distances, and who had range anxiety.  The latter would be key, as range anxiety comes in justified and unjustified modes, but I am sure clever marketing could muddle the two,  It would surely be cheaper than hiring an ICE vehicle to eliminate range anxiety.  A variant may be the incorporation of a range extender in a trailer or caravan to extend the range (ie more frequent 'refuelling') under load.

[gruntguru]

Most Aussies heading for the wilderness will be driving a motorhome or towing a caravan.

[GreenMachine]

If it needs diesel, then no.  If it uses (or can use) petrol, then the tag-along has some potential.  The caravan people already use generators, we would be talking about maybe a bigger generator or running it longer, and running it during the journey to replicate fuel and/or rest breaks.

 

If pursued, it would be a niche product, probably targeting the BEV SUV market.  The market for long distance travellers will erode as charger infrastructure spreads wider and deeper, leaving only a market for load carriers/pullers.  But suffice it to say I would not be an investor - it is an interesting idea, but I can't see fortunes being made.

[Magoo]

Here in the vulgar and shambolic USA, most RV campgrounds already have 240V hookups to power our immense motor homes and camping trailers when parked. (Central air conditioning, washer/dryer, etc.)  Each stall has a big panel with a variety of connector types. Perfect for Level 2 charging and many EV owners are already using them for that purpose along with their campers.

 

Campgrounds are a good alternative to keep in mind in remote areas where dedicated EV chargers are not  available. 

[Greg Locock]

I suspect that renting a reasonably powerful range extender trailer would cost about the same as hiring a car.

[GreenMachine]

That implies a fairly hefty price Greg.

 

FWIW a 10kva generator is $822/wk from Kennards (handyman/construction/builder hire shop for the non-locals), I am not electrically savvy enough to understand how that rates against a charger but it is 20a/3ph output.  It is on wheels too (but only for on-site movement)!

[Magoo]

In case you haven't seen this, a recent Ford Motor Co. patent for a roof-mounted auxiliary battery pack. 

 

 

 

[404KF2]

That should do wonders for the roadholding.

[Greg Locock]

They've put spacers under the battery to help increase the CGZ. ??????? 

[Catalina Park]

Fixed...

Edited by Catalina Park, 20 September 2023 - 05:37.

[Magoo]

Fixed...

 

And a fine fix it was. 

[Magoo]

Driver aid. 

 

 

 

[gruntguru]

Not many drivers will even know what a verticle is.

Edited by gruntguru, 20 September 2023 - 21:34.

[Greg Locock]

Noun. verticle (plural verticles) An axis or hinge; a turning point.

 

 

[Magoo]

Engage Active ARB.