What next... electric cars capable of towing

one advantage of an electric car, is there is no cam belt to break

intersting one, HD...

my first company phone, Nokia 63xxx, (from memory) would go days and days on a single charge...

my iphone is doing so much work it needs charging every night (and more if in constant use.

the battery in the 20 yr old Nokia wasnt that much different in size or weight.....price is the main difference.

bearing in mind the above....my golf trolley battery is seceral years old, lead acid, performs faultlessly, cost around £70

brothers battery eventually needed replacement, went for latest super light (around a quarter of the weight) Li-ion types, small, light but eye wateringly expensive at 4 times the price.... 

so, technology is much better already in terms of performance by weight, but until the market expands (which it will) the price remains very high....

I am fair certain that in 20 years the technology will have sufficiently advanced to achieve 500 miles range. Apprently one of the Tesler models is already capable of 350 miles on a charge. Please don't shoot me down in flames if I'm wrong it's what a friend of mine told me last night based on the information he got when he test drove one recently.

Talking on site (Ferry Meadow)to owners of a Volvo and Toyota Hybrids both said they usually get about 20miles on batt when towing then diesel engines took over for about 30miles before reverting to batt power and so the cycle continued,,but as they could charge the batts when on site from the external 3 pin socket of their c/vans it was not often they needed the diesel engines when not towing,

Electric cars will NEVER be good enough to tow over a distance. they will only ever be a city car or at best medium distance. 2040 will be here in a flash & we will just not be ready for it. The caravan industry is now doomed: we will have to use statics & pods: The day is coming where only public transport is available to the masses: Be like Logans run. Just jump in a car pod as its passing to do ya shopping or what ever: Scary: All these futuristic films are becoming reality.

Even if & it's a big if: The cost of running these things will be prohibitive & the charging infrastructure will not be sufficient: Battery's don't last & loose efficiency quite quickly too. I think the goverments after getting us all of the road:

I can see the day coming where they take all your money, provide you with accomadation & a small allowence to live on: & be provided tokens for shopping: We're all doomed i tell ya: lol:

No honestly it's not actually that far fetched the way things are going: Iv'e predicted that scenario for many years:

As well as electric tow cars perhaps electric caravans will also be required, equipped with batteries charged by solar panels and wheel mounted generator/movers supplementing the car battery when on the move?

More regular stop over  breaks to recharge car and van will require more club sites with suitable facilities. 4 hours driving or 200 mile legs will probably be realistic? Sounds like a nice change of concept and lifestyle!

So with our bus passes (public transport)and as I also get as long serving railperson (retired)20 free journeys per annum +some continental free travel (,public transport)just need to get a folding caravan

Like I said in the other discussion- something will turn up - it always does- necessity is the mother of invention. I read about the American and Chinese scientists and technicians getting together to create and overcome the problems of sodium batteries- apparently, they are closing in on a solution but we'll have to wait and see. Plenty of sodium on the planet! 

Just how long will you have to queue at a service area to re-charge? Also many folks live in streets without off road parking and cannot run a cable across footpaths. It would be better if the Government had thought through some of the practical problems before embarking on the punitive measures now being floated against diesel cars. I suspect just another cynical measure to raise revenue. If the necessary charging infrastructure was being prepared there would be a more convincing reason to buy electric cars.