Technology ConnectionsJan 14, 2023

This is what a single trip to the hardware store looks like out where my parents live.

Notice the miles driven, time it took, and remaining battery status (started this at 100%).

But by all means, please keep telling us electric cars only work in cities.

Show threadTechnology Connections

Oh right, and I should add that to recover this charge on a 7.2 kW charger would take about 2 and a half hours.

Again - you really don't need a giant charger.

Jan 14, 2023 at 11:21pmWeb
Show threadTravisJan 14, 2023
@TechConnectify the only place where I see electric vehicle a bit behind is very long trips, like cross country. But the infrastructure just needs to be build, just like gas stations.
Show threadAdam LassekJan 14, 2023
@tebrown Have you seen his video on this https://youtube.com/watch?v=sZOuz_laH9I
The tech which can charge an electric car in 10 minutes

YouTube
Show threadTravisJan 15, 2023
@alassek Yup! We just need more of those!
Show threaddr 🛠️🛰️📡🎧Jan 14, 2023

@tebrown @TechConnectify I had a winger try to tell me once that electric cars couldn't work because of the lack of charging stations.

I told him I had faith the free market would provide a solution.

Show threadVik-Thor / Lirleni HankesheJan 17, 2023
@davidr @tebrown @TechConnectify
The best places for chargers for longer distance travels is going to be plazas with restaurants and other shopping. Plug in, get some food and stretch legs. When you are done eating, your vehicle should be full enough for the next leg of the journey.
Show threadAncientsJan 15, 2023

@tebrown @TechConnectify

And towing. Towing things is not very effective for full electrics. But is theoretically a great place to use hybrids.

Show threadTravisJan 15, 2023
@Ancients @TechConnectify what kind of towing? I really believe electric is the future for everything.
Show threadTechnology ConnectionsJan 15, 2023

@tebrown @Ancients They *can* tow right now but range loss is severe. Like, depending on the trailer, it can exceed 60%. Aerodynamic affects are monstrous.

It's about the same as a liquid-fueled car, to be clear, but towing rigs have big gas tanks and can refuel quickly.

Add to that the fact there there's essentially no pull-through rapid charging infra and even I, a person who thinks EVs can work for just about anyone with a tiny bit of work, will admit they are shit for towing right now.

Show threadTechnology ConnectionsJan 15, 2023

@tebrown @Ancients
Granted, that's caveated with *long-haul* towing.

If all you need to tow is a trailer to Home Depot and back, then by all means - you're not gonna care.

But if you want to tow a camper on a road trip?

That's a yikes, and is unlikely to change.

Show threadAncientsJan 15, 2023

@TechConnectify @tebrown
Even medium haul. Doing a long trip into the city from a rural area with a load is gonna be pretty terrible.

But day to day in-city work trucks are gonna handle the transition to electric pretty easily.

Show threadAncientsJan 15, 2023
@TechConnectify @tebrown
I cry thinking about the 110 mile round trip to go to the movie theater when I was in college 😭
Show threadAmy HoyJan 15, 2023

@TechConnectify @tebrown @Ancients all the people i know who do day to day in-city work hauling live 30-60 min outside the city.

so i don’t see it working for that either.

Show threadrusJan 15, 2023

@amy @TechConnectify @tebrown @Ancients I know a few contractor friends who live in the city\suburbs. It'd work great for them, for any job also in the city. Depending on the specific friend, they'll range as far as a hundred miles from the city (or further, if the money is right to get hotels). I think it'll be a bit before they change over.

I'm curious to see if we'll see battery packs in the trailers to supplement the trucks battery when towing.

Show threadAmy HoyJan 15, 2023
@TechConnectify @rusozoll @tebrown @Ancients the reports on the electric ford truck say it can go about 60-80 miles before needing a recharge, when you’re towing
Show threadrusJan 15, 2023
@amy @TechConnectify @tebrown @Ancients sure, but there is nuance. If you run a landscaping business and service locations in the area you live, that could be plenty. In suburbia, that is totally viable. Same for things like mobile repair services, especially for urban service areas. Even some construction work, if you drop the trailer at the beginning of the project (and then the lightnings ability to be used as a mobile power point can be leveraged).
Show threadrusJan 15, 2023

@amy @TechConnectify @tebrown @Ancients I still agree that it isn't ready for most people doing a lot of towing, but its getting more viable for more people.

Zach (JerryRigEverything) had a recent video on cold weather towing, Rivian R1T. It isn't much better on that side. It really highlights the charger problem for tailers.

https://youtu.be/U8zDGN2Fdt4

I tried towing 10,000 pounds in freezing weather... My EV Truck Lied!

YouTube
Show threadAmy HoyJan 15, 2023
@TechConnectify @rusozoll @tebrown @Ancients you live in a very odd fantasy world
Show threadIhddnJan 15, 2023

@TechConnectify @tebrown @Ancients

I wonder if we'll start seeing trailers with their battery and motors in wheel to offset these issues.

Show threadTravisJan 15, 2023
@ihddn @TechConnectify @Ancients airstream makes one (a camper trailer)
Show threadDrew KadelJan 20, 2023
@TechConnectify @tebrown @Ancients Since the aerodynamics are a big factor, design down the road could make a big difference. The rate of adoption will make a big difference of when that happens-same with quick charging stations for jumbo battery packs.
Show threadgrahamsJan 15, 2023
@tebrown @TechConnectify hardly. I’ve done like 6 2000+mi road trips since I got my car in 2021 and it’s been nbd.
Show threadgrahamsJan 15, 2023
@tebrown @TechConnectify I’d actually argue that long road trips are way less of an issue for EVs than home charging solutions for renters and apartments
Show threadJosh Closs (they/them)Jan 15, 2023
@TechConnectify Unless you enjoy football in New York (technically New Jersey) and Los Angeles!
Show threadVaguely here 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈Jan 15, 2023

@TechConnectify We at @show took our Bolt EV to Texas from Portland, our Niro EV from Seattle to Los Angeles...and that same Bolt from Portland to Las Vegas many times.

EVs are ready for nearly all use cases, and have been for several years. The charging networks still need work but honestly the times I charge en-route are vanishingly small - driving to Portland and back, if I need to, I just top up at my friend's house.

Show threadΣ(i³) = (Σi)²Jan 15, 2023
@TechConnectify 3.1 mi/kWh? The 2020 Nissan Leaf gets 4.2 ...
Show threadTechnology ConnectionsJan 15, 2023
@SvenGeier A) It's cold B) this trip was mostly highway driving and C) the Ioniq 5 is a pretty big car, y'know
Show threadfluffy 💜Jan 15, 2023
@TechConnectify You used to be a huge bolt fan, right? What is the miles/kWh like on those? Bolt EUV seems like a great car aside from the 50kW charging (and of course worries about Chevy’s batteries catching on fire but that’s been resolved, right?), but even that’s fine for all but the most ardent road tripper.