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 ConnectionsJan 14, 2023

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.

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 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 threadAncients

@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.

Jan 15, 2023 at 1:32amWeb
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