Electric Chevy Silverado Debut
Here's the new Electric Silverado Link
Forum Discussion
Let me start by saying I am a big fan of electric vehicles (I didn't think I would be until I first drove one). I think an electric truck will be great for the average homeowner who owns a truck, boaters, contractors, etc. But this is the tow vehicle sub-forum, and for now, I am not very excited about an EV for towing a camper.
Range isn't the issue. The video said the GM would be good for 400 miles, and most of the new trucks and SUVs are 250-400 miles in rated range. From my experiences, the EPA estimates for EV miles are pretty much right on (vs. extremely optimistic compared to my actual experience with MPG on gas cars). My first electrified car was a 2018 Honda Clarity, a plug in hybrid. Its estimated miles were 49, and on average that is probably right. In the summer (we get hot and humid here, the AC runs overtime), I was usually right by that number, anywhere from 2-3 below to 5-6 above it. There was a month or so in the Spring and a month or so in the Fall where I didn't use the AC or heat very heavily where I'd do about 20% better (55-60), and in the winter I'd drop to the low to mid 30s at times and rarely over 40 (~20% or greater loss, cold and the heater rob an EV car of a lot of range). My current BEV (all electric) Hyundai Ioniq EV has similar numbers. I got it in late Sept, so I can't say what it will do in July and Aug yet, but in Sept and Oct, I got around 200 miles a charge regularly (it is rated for 170), but during the winter I've been in the 140-155 range so far. So, 300-400 miles is a very usable range.
Charging... Well here is the issue. While a lot of the newer models can take a DCFC quite quickly (some less than 15min to 80% charge), and even a slower, slightly older design (2-3 years since the redesign) will charge from 30% to 80% (you don't want to use a direct current charger above 80%) in 30-60min depending upon the car electronics and battery size. However, having used many charging stations, I can say that they are definitely not designed for charging a vehicle while it is towing. Very few are pull through spots where you can take two spots in a parking lot, one for your car and one for your camper. To use about 90% of them, you'd likely have to unhook your trailer, charge, and then hook back up every time you need to charge.
So, the tow rating on one of these EV pickups or SUVs is great. If you have a boat, you are a contractor and pull a trailer to your worksite, occasionally tow a cargo trailer, etc. and can leave home get to where you are going and get back on one charge, it will be great. Of course, it will also be fine if you are going on a short trip and can get to your campsite on one charge. But, the infrastructure isn't there yet where it is a realistic option for camping with a trailer yet.
If you want to go electrified and tow a camper, I suggest getting a PHEV (plug in hybrid) that can tow. You can plug them in and run them as an electric vehicle for short distances (how far, obviously depends upon the vehicle, but most can make an average American's daily commute to work on all electric), and they work like a hybrid the rest of the time. However, on a trip, they are hybrid vehicles that run on gas and don't need to be constantly charged (until you get where you are going, then charge them if you want to run electric). Some of the more capable are expensive, the BMW X5 PHEV can tow nearly 6K pounds, the Volvo XC90 Recharge is good for 5K. Some are more affordable but you give up quite a bit of towing capacity (the RAV4 Prime is only rated to tow 2500LBS, the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV and Tuscon PHEV are rated for 2K). If you have heavier requirements, the closest to electric that is currently realistic is a hybrid (the new hybrid option in the F150 is very interesting IMO).
Range isn't the issue. The video said the GM would be good for 400 miles, and most of the new trucks and SUVs are 250-400 miles in rated range. From my experiences, the EPA estimates for EV miles are pretty much right on (vs. extremely optimistic compared to my actual experience with MPG on gas cars). My first electrified car was a 2018 Honda Clarity, a plug in hybrid. Its estimated miles were 49, and on average that is probably right. In the summer (we get hot and humid here, the AC runs overtime), I was usually right by that number, anywhere from 2-3 below to 5-6 above it. There was a month or so in the Spring and a month or so in the Fall where I didn't use the AC or heat very heavily where I'd do about 20% better (55-60), and in the winter I'd drop to the low to mid 30s at times and rarely over 40 (~20% or greater loss, cold and the heater rob an EV car of a lot of range). My current BEV (all electric) Hyundai Ioniq EV has similar numbers. I got it in late Sept, so I can't say what it will do in July and Aug yet, but in Sept and Oct, I got around 200 miles a charge regularly (it is rated for 170), but during the winter I've been in the 140-155 range so far. So, 300-400 miles is a very usable range.
Charging... Well here is the issue. While a lot of the newer models can take a DCFC quite quickly (some less than 15min to 80% charge), and even a slower, slightly older design (2-3 years since the redesign) will charge from 30% to 80% (you don't want to use a direct current charger above 80%) in 30-60min depending upon the car electronics and battery size. However, having used many charging stations, I can say that they are definitely not designed for charging a vehicle while it is towing. Very few are pull through spots where you can take two spots in a parking lot, one for your car and one for your camper. To use about 90% of them, you'd likely have to unhook your trailer, charge, and then hook back up every time you need to charge.
So, the tow rating on one of these EV pickups or SUVs is great. If you have a boat, you are a contractor and pull a trailer to your worksite, occasionally tow a cargo trailer, etc. and can leave home get to where you are going and get back on one charge, it will be great. Of course, it will also be fine if you are going on a short trip and can get to your campsite on one charge. But, the infrastructure isn't there yet where it is a realistic option for camping with a trailer yet.
If you want to go electrified and tow a camper, I suggest getting a PHEV (plug in hybrid) that can tow. You can plug them in and run them as an electric vehicle for short distances (how far, obviously depends upon the vehicle, but most can make an average American's daily commute to work on all electric), and they work like a hybrid the rest of the time. However, on a trip, they are hybrid vehicles that run on gas and don't need to be constantly charged (until you get where you are going, then charge them if you want to run electric). Some of the more capable are expensive, the BMW X5 PHEV can tow nearly 6K pounds, the Volvo XC90 Recharge is good for 5K. Some are more affordable but you give up quite a bit of towing capacity (the RAV4 Prime is only rated to tow 2500LBS, the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV and Tuscon PHEV are rated for 2K). If you have heavier requirements, the closest to electric that is currently realistic is a hybrid (the new hybrid option in the F150 is very interesting IMO).
