Range anxiety still? - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

gone-ot · 10-09-2015, 07:45 PM

It's a great IDEA, just needs 1,000% more technical tuning for true usefulness!

oil pan 4 · 10-09-2015, 08:26 PM

The fossil fuel free concept is going out the window.

Cd · 10-09-2015, 09:17 PM

Brilliant.

Now is that car in the video an EV ? If so, I like the styling.
( And why are they not being sold in the U.S. ? )

Xist · 10-10-2015, 01:02 PM

How much range could a lithium pack of batteries that weigh as much as the trailer add? Yes, lithium is expensive, but there is mention of renting them.

oil pan 4 · 10-10-2015, 02:07 PM

If I remember correctly the AMP20 cells I use hold a little less than 0.1kwh, weigh 1Kg each and each cell costs up to $100, each.
Which come out to approximately; just use a generator.

redpoint5 · 10-10-2015, 07:27 PM

The concept is pointless. Trade the EV for a friend or family's gasser for the road trip. I wouldn't want to be in a small Fit, Fiat 500, i-MiEV, Golf, Smart, or any of the small EV cars for such a trip anyhow. Heck, the Prius barely fits everything for a week of camping and rock climbing for 2 people.

A genset makes sense if it serves double-duty as a backup home generator, but that is the only way to justify it.

gone-ot · 10-10-2015, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redpoint5

A genset makes sense if it serves double-duty as a backup home generator, but that is the only way to justify it.

Not, if it is rented -- ala' UHaul, Penske, etc. -- here and left there.

SoobieOut · 10-10-2015, 08:20 PM

Seem like the Tesla super charger or 5 minute battery swap is a better option. Shame it only works with the Tesla, but next year an affordable Tesla model is scheduled for release.

Xist · 10-10-2015, 08:40 PM

What is this "affordable" you speak of?

acparker · 10-10-2015, 10:47 PM

I agree that, while the towed genset is a neat idea, it may be more economical and comfortable to simply rent the appropriate vehicle for the trip.

Speaking of range anxiety, I tried to test drive a used Focus EV at a local dealer. I was about a quarter mile into the test drive, deciding which route to take, when my son, sitting in the back seat, pointed out that the battery meter was telling us we had only one mile left. I didn't quite make it back to the lot when the "stop and park NOW!!!!!" message popped up, so I did. The Focus was plan B. The Fusion Energi that I had wanted to drive would not even start. Not a particularly inspiring experience.

Another anecdote. I was driving I-15 from Riverside back to Utah when I saw a Leaf limping slowly toward the first exit at Victorville. I was guessing that the driver made the trip assuming that the distance was well within the car's range, but had not factored in the steep grade over Cajon Pass.

I could use an EV, as much of the family driving is less than 5 miles round trip, and most can be under 35 mph, which is a killer on the minivan's efficiency, but my wife won't drive a golf cart or an NEV. Interestingly, used Volts are approaching the price (lowest, around $11,000) of used golf carts and NEV's, and about the same as an EV conversion (With a comfortable amount left on the electric component warranty. Once the warranty expires, the price should drop much further). That would take away the range anxiety.