Kona Electric Car

Matt_Colie wrote:
To date, I have queried four different EV manufacturers about towing 4-down and all said it was not advised but could not say why. I know why hybrids don't like it.

One was a real engineer, and allowed as how it should not be damaging, but might void the warranty. It was he that I asked if the regenerative braking could be possibly be controlled remotely. He seriously thought I was joking and they I explained our position and issues.

Wouldn't it be nice to arrive at the end of the day's travel to a fully charged EV Towed??

Now we just have to get someone to listen. But I couldn't even save S&T or SA so I'm not going to dream.

Matt

OEM Hybrid systems engineer here.

If the OEM certified their vehicle for Recreational tow, it's capable of towing.

The problem comes from rotating parts in the drive train getting enough lube and/or cooling.

WRT to power generation, that is a most excellent idea, but very very difficult to calibrate and program. The number of customers that rec tow is such a tiny number, it's not worth the time and effort to calibrate, and even if it was, 1,000 customers probably had 997 different ways they would like it to be accomplished

pianotuna wrote:
I'll only have regular access to level 1 charging. That should more than meet my needs when at my retirement condo.

I drove my LEAF on L1 for the first 5 months back in 2011 and found I could get about 50 miles per day average. Sometimes it seemed I was charging near continuous.

L2 charging is a bit more efficient so in time you may look at your options.

Dick_B wrote:
An electric car in Canada? What's the range when the lakes are frozen over?

Full rated range of any EV can drop 50% in extreme cold conditions.

What BEV do you own?

Reisender wrote:
Where we live in Canada I have never seen my range drop more than 30 percent. Then again our commute is only about 20 km per day so kinda doesn’t matter.

Hi Reisender,

I'll only have regular access to level 1 charging. That should more than meet my needs when at my retirement condo.

I'm not really in the market at the moment. My current vehicle got a new short block in December 2018, courtesy of the maker. So now I have a 2013 vehicle with a body in great shape with good mechanicals. Just got the first set of tires and I deliberately bought low cost--as the tires will age out before I wear them out. I replaced the front brakes when I got the tires.

The location where I live encourages walking--so 3 days out of 7 I don't even start the car. There are 14 restaurants, a 2nd run movie theatre and 2 grocery stores within 1 block.

My one "range requirement" is 288 kilometers one way to my brother's cottage. There would be access to level two charging from a 50 amp RV outlet at that location.

Towing 4 down is another possible requirement.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi all,

I've heard back from the salesperson. Here is what he had to say:

" I have to triple check how to tow it but I do know it only comes with the one 120v charger and that the Level 3 chargers charge the same speed no matter how many uses it gets. "

Thank you Don. Hope your test drive goes well. Tell us what you think.

Let me know if you are interested in recommendations on a 240 volt EVSE. Between our two places we have four and all have pluses and minuses.

Bobbo wrote:

Reisender wrote:
Range is kind of irrelevant if your range is 5 times your daily commute.

But, range is very relevant if you have a long commute and are trying to decide on whether an EV is suitable for you.

That goes without saying. But most modern EV’s have fair weather ranges of greater than 300 km. So as long as your commute isn’t longer than 150 km or so you’ll be fine even in adverse conditions. Plus in Canada many employers parking lots have block heater plugs in parking lots so instead of a block heater you just take on some charge if need be.

Where we live in Canada I have never seen my range drop more than 30 percent. Then again our commute is only about 20 km per day so kinda doesn’t matter.

If you travel long range in winter or live in area with poor charging infrastructure a more vehicle is a gas or diesel vehicle.

Hi all,

I've heard back from the salesperson. Here is what he had to say:

" I have to triple check how to tow it but I do know it only comes with the one 120v charger and that the Level 3 chargers charge the same speed no matter how many uses it gets. "

Hi Bobbo,

Are you saying you know folks who do a 150 mile commute?

Bobbo wrote:

But, range is very relevant if you have a long commute and are trying to decide on whether an EV is suitable for you.

Reisender wrote:
Range is kind of irrelevant if your range is 5 times your daily commute.

But, range is very relevant if you have a long commute and are trying to decide on whether an EV is suitable for you.