Charging electric car

JRscooby wrote:

Reisender wrote:

JRscooby wrote:
Does it hurt a electric motor to spin it with no power to it? I can't see how, as long as the speed was in the motor's operating range. Now changing speed of that spinning mass might take more power. Would need to compare weights, armatures of the motor to the axles+driveshaft+extra power needed because spinning driveshaft so much faster. Friction, the motor would no doubt be less.
Unless there is some kind of lube system that needs to be driven from something besides the spinning motor, I can see no mechanical issue in towing a E car 4 down. (The issue with most cars is the if the engine is not spinning, the pump doesn't lubricate the bearings in transmission)
Now if you are towing 4 down, it would be simple to use regenerative braking to get to the CG with fully charged battery. More of a issue might be the battery fully charged early in the day, now you can't get regen braking.
If you moved often enough, like every 2 weeks, and in the course of that 2 weeks did not drive the toad more than it's between charge range, would not need to charge in a CG. And for the people that use E cars, what percentage off the time do you get home with near full discharge, and need full charge in the morning? Would get to CG at say 50%, and have 75% in the morning work?

Well, the technical stuff is way beyond my knowledge level. From the point of view of voiding the warranty we don’t tow either of our EV’s four down. We do one on a trailer and the other on a dolly we change out cars every 5 or 6 years so we’ll always be in that situation. Both our cars have neutral’ free spin modes. That would probably be the simplest 4 down tow method. I don’t really see the need to charge while towing. Electricity is readily available in most places. It hasn’t been a problem for us.

Well, AFAIK, I have never seen a electric powered car. So on the "technical stuff" I'm guessing, based on what I know about other things. (When I was a kid the windmill would spin a motor and pump water from pond to stock tank. Over flow drained back to pond. If the tank was low when came out to feed, slide collar to disengage shaft from windmill, and switch on motor. Feed, tank full, shut off power, engage the shaft.) My "guess" about only needing to add some charge, not total recharge over night is based on the number of times I get to CG with less than half tank, then use car again next day without putting gas in.
Another guess; As more people buy E cars, a small percentage of the buyers will ask about flat towing. And as the numbers grow I think the manufacturers will look at the idea. If there is no issue that I don't see, I bet the warranty restrictions will go away. And I bet that happens long before RVs are towed to CG by E power on a regular bases.

Yah I would think you are right. It’s not a big market but within the next 20 years the sale of gas powered vehicles will be outlawed in many countries, states or provinces. Even though it’s a small market the need will be there and some manufacturer will figure it out. I don’t know about the US states but the last day you can buy a non zero emmision vehicle in BC or Quebec is December 31st 2039. BC already has over 10 percent of its vehicle sales as electric. A target they hit 5 years early.