Quote:
Originally Posted by Xist
What is the ROI on $2,500 for 7 miles a day? How does that tiny amount of charge balance with your truck being warmer because you parked it in the sun? How often do you take road trips with four adults and luggage? How often do you drive and need AWD?
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I'm undecided on the solar option, but I don't think it will cost that much. My van has about the same area as the CT tonneau in panels. Cost me $1000 including all installation supplies and controllers, using quality products. In two years I've gotten 140kWh out of them, parking in the shade whenever possible. That's pretty good considering my OEM battery is generally full after a couple of hours, the rest goes to waste (other than running front and rear dash cams while parked).
The angle of the tonneau is potentially far more suited to panels than my flat roof. I'd guess the ROI will be around 20 years, but they would be worth in for remote area travel if you do run out of juice, a few miles a day could be the difference between making it out alive and not - or even just saving a $2000 tow bill.
I know from my Jeep, which has similar range, that ~300miles is barely adequate. I don't think I can stretch to the 500mile model though.
I'd love for them to do a shorter two door version, but you can only buy what they sell. I'll probably gut the rear seat and that will be bike transport (or possibly sleeping quarters? - could almost fit a bunk bed in there
).