Forum Discussion
96 Replies
- Does not seem to cover much except range. If I need to tow my 9000 pound trailer with construction supplies and equipment 60 miles to the worksite and plug in 8 hours while I build something.... how does it actually tow?
- Technology is not there yet to allow for a towing EV to be used in the way in which most ICE tow rigs are used. The fact that they are sold out, doesn't mean much. The political push is toward EV's regardless how little practical use they have for anyone the tows something (and many light pickups don't tow anything anyway). When EV's are used commercially, the time to recharge is expensive in the sense that it slows down business activity and someone is getting paid to recharge the vehicle during the day. You can handpick specialized applications where 90 miles on a charge may work, but certainly not enough to convince the majority of business owners to get on board yet. Or anyone that needs to tow something in a reasonable time.
Someday things may be different, but certainly not today and tomorrow doesn't look real good either. The day that a battery is developed that holds more of a charge, is quick to recharge, lighter and hopefully doesn't use rare earth metals that are only found in China to build, will be a serious game changer. However until then, EV will be a hard row to hoe especially for those that tow.
The next issue will be the power companies, right now it is the oil companies that are beat with sticks at every opportunity. Wait until your house and vehicle are all powered by electricity, that in many places can only be provided by one company. The result of no competition will be massive price rises. They will have all their customers by the balls with no choice but to pay. FishOnOne wrote:
Epic Fail...
What I don't like is Ford offers a tow package, but can only muster 90 miles towing ~8k lbs. I can't believe the auto industry is going full bore with these EV trucks.
Here's another fail by International truck.
Link
I agree that the Lightning is a fail since it fails to be effective at what its marketed for. But I watched the International video and I didn't see the "epic fail" you mentioned. I think the largely mythical Tesla Semi will be a failure because its been marketed as a replacement for a diesel over the road heavy truck, and it's pretty obvious it won't work in that application with current technology. But I think commercial EVs can be very successful in the right application- short haul, lots of stop and go- busses, dump trucks, delivery vans, etc. OTR or applications that have to run 24/7 to be profitable, not so much.- The Ford weighs 6500 lbs with less than 2000 payload. GVWR is 8250. Putting more batteries for range improvements would catapult the weight even more and affect insurance premiums, tire and suspension requirements, weight registration fees, cost and charge time.
But they are sold out! - Don't buy one if it doesn't work for you. Wouldn't work for me either.
