Range anxiety is overrated

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Why is it not smart?

Because you're using the inefficient gas/diesel engine of the tow truck to do the charging?

Besides (depending on the vehicle design), if you leave it turned on and the drive engaged, it could well decide to keep moving on its own, the way an automatic transmission vehicle will creep if you don't hold the brakes when it's idling in drive.

Besides, at least hereabouts most of the automotive 'tow' trucks actually load the vehicle on a flat bed.

[redpoint5]

The Prius (plug-in) slightly regens at any speed above 7 MPH, and only "creeps" below that.

You can quite rapidly add miles to an EV by towing it and applying regen braking. This is no more risky than towing any other vehicle, and has been used by some to avoid needing a full tow to a destination.

[slowmover]

Vehicles towed behind motorhomes (toads) are set up to apply vehicle brakes in concert with the Motorhome. See any RV catalog (PPL Motorhome).

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Actually, you can tow an EV with its wheels on the ground - and it gets charged using regen.

Some electric cars have warnings against towing them with the drive wheels on the ground.
Don't assume anything. Read the manual.

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Some electric cars have warnings against towing them with the drive wheels on the ground.
Don't assume anything. Read the manual.

One reason could be that you can charge it faster and longer that way than you can in any other way; the batteries and electronics may not be capable to handle that.
Then it may stop charging itself, ending regenerative braking with it; an unattentive driver may slack the line and even hit the tow vehicle.

Tow charging EVs may be ecomodder proof, but not necessarily idiot proof.
(though I've done things that show these categories are not exclusive )

Met a colleague this morning who drives one of our companies 30kW Leafs.
He says he has a practical range of about 200 km in rush hour traffic, driving all over the country.
He never (not even once) had to recharge on the go for the 23,000 km he already put on it; but then few destinations in the Netherlands are further away than 200 km from Gouda. And our customers are often government related and generally have their own charging points; if not there is always a couple within walking distance.

Just a few years back you needed to plan your charges carefully.
Nowadays you can charge almost anywhere, like at most public parking places.
This happened very quickly indeed.

[LittleBlackDuck]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Why is it not smart?

Seriously, leaving a car running while being towed? And you can't work out why it is not smart? This type of thing is what the Darwin awards thrive on!

Simon

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by LittleBlackDuck

Seriously, leaving a car running while being towed? And you can't work out why it is not smart? This type of thing is what the Darwin awards thrive on!

Simon

What's running?
It does not have an engine. Nor a gearbox that can run out of oil.
It does not have oil.
It does have a motor(/generator) but that's just an electric brake.

I would not tow an EV in Drive if the manual says not to do it.
But I cannot see how a responsible driver who understands the process could damage an EV by having it towed.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

What's running?
It does not have an engine. Nor a gearbox that can run out of oil.
It does not have oil.
It does have a motor(/generator) but that's just an electric brake.

I would not tow an EV in Drive if the manual says not to do it.
But I cannot see how a responsible driver who understands the process could damage an EV by having it towed.

Exactly. I wouldn't tow an EV hundreds of miles, but pulling it along while doing regen is no different than using regen down a long mountainous road (from the car's perspective). The only concern is paying enough attention that you don't run into the back of the tow vehicle, or getting sloppy with the steering.

[oil pan 4]

Does anyone actually have anything from the manufacturer saying that the vehicle could be flat towed to recharge it?

Since the manufactures have done things like put the charger at the front of the vehicle or on the side up front and programmed in an immobilizer to prevent the vehicle from being driven and recharged it looks like the OEMs have made it very clear that they don't want the wheels turning and the battery charging from an external source.

I am not saying it can't be done, I believe pull behind charge trailers and flat tow charging could absolutely be possible, it's just that the manufacturers have decided to protect themselves from liability from the stupidity of their below average user rather than make a more capable product.

[redpoint5]

The reason manufacturers disable driving and external charging at the same time is to prevent people from driving off while the carging cable is still attached.

There is no indication that towing the vehicle while it is "on" and in "drive" mode is disallowed.