Issues when moving to all electric towcars

Mr H replied on 12/03/2021 10:43

Posted on 12/03/2021 10:43

Already there are going to be many issues relating to using EV's. Range anxiety, charging point availability etc. This will all be increased when towing a caravan. For example how many charging stations will provide space for the caravan during the charging process? So is it time for Caravan designers to think out of the box?

My suggestion would be to add, the same type battery being used for the car, to the chassis of the caravan connected as at present to the car. This could be charged overnight when on a hook up on site. Also using similar technology, used by motor racing, it should be possible to get a charge, from the rotation of the wheels, much like the dynamo that powered the lights on an old bike. Finally, the roof of the caravan could have a custom made solar panel covering all available solid surfaces ie. around windows etc to add to the charge, There should be minimal changes to the caravan wiring as it virtually already exists.

What do you think?

EmilysDad replied on 03/08/2021 20:59

Posted on 03/08/2021 20:45 by Oscarmax

Apparently the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 long range 73 kWh can tow 1600 kg ? 

Posted on 03/08/2021 20:59

So could I  .... but not very far 🙄

ChocolateTrees replied on 04/08/2021 10:18

Posted on 03/08/2021 20:50 by eribaMotters

I would love to see a real world test on towing with one.

 

Colin

Posted on 04/08/2021 10:18

On towing with the Ioniq 5 or an EV in general? I have done 3 holidays with my Polestar 2 and Bailey Unicorn Vigo Maxload (all reported in my posts in this thread), and have another coming at the end of the month. EVs (when homologated) are excellent tow cars. For me (but not for everyone) the range is not a real limit as I stop when towing after A couple of hours anyway. The costs are lower, the convenience is higher and charging while on site means I spend the holiday not thinking about ensuring I have a full tank before we hitch to go home.

ChocolateTrees replied on 04/08/2021 11:26

Posted on 04/08/2021 11:26

I have a Bailey Unicorn S3 Vigo max weight upgrade (MTPLM 1550) and tow it with a Polestar 2. Range wile towing is about 120 to 130 miles. Last trip was to a CL in Whitby, over 200 miles from home. Getting here there maybe 15 mins longer than towing with our ICE car. We stopped twice on the way up, for coffee after 2 hours towing for about 20 mins, and for lunch after another 70 mins towing for 45 mins.
Both times of charging we had charged more than we needed before we were done resting.
Charging on the CL was fine. We had a 10a hookup, charged via the van and will paid for the extra electricity we used when we departed.

Getting home, another two stop run. We could have done it in one, from Whitby to Duckmanton in one hit, but I was ready to stop before then, so we stopped at Skelton again for Coffee and Cruffin (amazing invention), then carried on for another 75 mins to Duckmanton for some lunch, before the final 2 hour tow. Each time, we charged the car for just the time that we were servicing the humans, and didn't wait for charging to finish before we left at all, and in each case charged more than we needed for the next leg. 

 

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