Full Electric Suv & Truck - what do we think

[srpuywa]

I watched a Tesla sedan take off from a stoplight, up a hill, and the acceleration was like nothing I had ever seen. It didn’t even look real.
The bro that was trying to race him in the ecoboost was pretty shocked too

They sure can scoot! Drive responsibly

Electric motors are all torque, you can pass them in 200 miles :lol:

 

[Ausumm]

I use mine as a daily driver....
and I travel an hour+ to work, each way.
Before the price of gas started to drop around here...
I was spending $100 a week in gas.

Take a guess on how I feel about an electric SUV.

 

[MSRP.]

I would definitely appreciate something like the 400 mile range like what was recently revealed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eRCYhPy2Mw

I would rock the electric truck with minimal downside for daily duties, and keep my 4Runner for the weekends and road trips. Road trip vehicle that will never die and I can keep it for 15+ years will easily round out all my requirements.

 

[Mass 4runner]

That’s literally my dream DD setup right now… to go from 13 MPG to driving/charging for free and never seeing a gas pump again.

Parking my Silverado in an EV spot would only bring me joy.

Considering it’s already setup to carry the weight, truck conversions are getting very popular. I already have the dang batteries if I wanted to convert my Silverado, but I bought these to build a “Powerwall”

https://www.motor1.com/news/78595/zap-this-vintage-91-mazda-pickup-truck-is-all-electric/

Driving and charging for FREE? What am I missing?

 

[Mass 4runner]

I've driven electrics and the torque is wonderful, but we are not close yet to it being useful for anything more than a relatively short distance commuter.

But we seem to be forgetting something. Assume everyone in America goes electric. Won't that then drain an already stretched power grid? And won't that demand cause major price spikes as utilities invest huge $$ in their struggle to supply power for a grid that is suddenly hungrier than they ever could have imagined?

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

I've driven electrics and the torque is wonderful, but we are not close yet to it being useful for anything more than a relatively short distance commuter.

But we seem to be forgetting something. Assume everyone in America goes electric. Won't that then drain an already stretched power grid? And won't that demand cause major price spikes as utilities invest huge $$ in their struggle to supply power for a grid that is suddenly hungrier than they ever could have imagined?

I mentioned this in another post and it's completely valid.

The entire US power infrastructure is daisy-chained on purpose for some reason. If substations start popping like corn for any reason, it will create a cascade event scenario in one or all 3 national grids. It's all built for as much failure as possible seemingly and very few people are talking about it. I learned of it from being in contact with Eric Dollard and looked into it myself, not that I needed to... To say this is a man you can believe about electricity and it's infrastructure is a radical understatement. Something like 75% of the infrastructure in the US is over 25 years old and is not engineered for current demand let alone double the demand or whatever it might be.

 

[thennen]

Not me

Nope. I understand that I may be overwhelmed by EV lovers one day. But I’m nostalgic, and I also like the idea of driving 400 miles, spending 3 minutes to refuel, and driving another 400 miles. Plus, can’t carry five gallons of spare electricity. I don’t like the idea or the limitations of an EV.

 

[tv4184]

It's an old thread but I figure 2 cents is where it should be. IMO it would depend on use. The biggest problem with wheeling an EV truck/SUV would be potential damage to the undercarraige. Those battery packs are prone to fire once punctured so I wouldn't want to wheel an EV unless the manufacturer designed it to be bullet proof.

As a DD, it'd be great. I took my Model 3 last week on a road trip and thought it was fine. My usual stop for gas usually last 15-25 minutes depending on what I'm picking up from Buccees, rest room break, and standing in line. I was able to charge up my car during my lunch break stop of 35 minutes from 18% to 85%. With a range of 310 miles, my furthest trip I mapped out showed 3 stops averaging 20-30 minutes. Maybe I'm not as tough a driver as others out there, but I do need to stop for a short break every 3-4 hours. This is true even when the car is doing the driving for me, autopilot made the road trip real relaxing but I still had to pay attention, its not like I could sleep while it was driving. I know I used to have to pit stop for naps on longer road trips. So maybe a traditional 8-10 hour road trip might end up being 11-12 hours long depending on whats going on.

I do agree with the whole issues with our infrastructure. The rate of growth in all the major cities doesn't help. A lot of inner city lots, where small single family homes are being replaced with 3-4 unit side by side larger homes. I live in a newly developed subdivsion on the outskirts of the city and theres probably half a dozen new developments out here. Back then all the area around me was just farm land. I'm sure nothing was upgraded as these areas are being added on. Unfortunately, it seems though there is more emphasis placed on other concerns by our government at the moment. I guess it'll take some emergent event for this to be addressed.

 

[CF_Machete]

Hydrogen fuel cell EV's seem to be the most practical EV with current technology. Fuel up with liquid hydrogen and use it to power an electric motor. The byproduct is water and the benefits align with high torque EVS with the fuel speed of gas.

Not sure if there are issues in sub freezing conditions, however I'd definitely buy one.

And before the Hindenburg comments start rolling in, liquid hydrogen in a solid container on the ground is completely different than a bag of gas high in the air. Additionally, big flare up vs slow burn... how do you want to go?

 

[tv4184]

Hydrogen fuel cell EV's seem to be the most practical EV with current technology. Fuel up with liquid hydrogen and use it to power an electric motor. The byproduct is water and the benefits align with high torque EVS with the fuel speed of gas.

Not sure if there are issues in sub freezing conditions, however I'd definitely buy one.

And before the Hindenburg comments start rolling in, liquid hydrogen in a solid container on the ground is completely different than a bag of gas high in the air. Additionally, big flare up vs slow burn... how do you want to go?

They do have hydrogen fuel cell cars but like most new tech the refueling stations are mostly located in Cali.

I guess its easier at the moment for Tesla to keep expanding their Supercharging network since electricity can be tapped anywhere. Those superchargers are capable of producing up to 400 volts at 200 amps. Thats why you can recharge so quickly. I noticed that alot of superchargers slated for 2019 are going to be put at Targets so I guess a semi-partnership is there. I know I used to stop at random Targets on road trips when I hunted for certain rare action figures and Legos.

Of course it'd be nice if they try to get hydrogen cell cars to be more mainstream. It'd be just like gasing up and not taking as much time as charging. Even supercharging takes 20-40 mins depending on how much distance you have left to go.

 

[96RedRunner]

I was talking purely from the stand point of mechanical simplicity...

The electrical circuitry for EV cars is not simple. Would say it's close to a even trade off when you get deep into it.
The components that make up the PC boards to make the wheels spin is extensive.

 

[T4R_KAI]

Unless they are able to provide adequate range and plenty of charging stations i wouldnt. Plus what would you carry in replacement of jerry cans? Huge power banks?!

 

[xwake4lifex]

I think the most likely thing to happen first is for a manufacturer to offer an SUV or truck that is full electric, but doesn't have the tow capabilities of a gasoline engine. Could totally be wrong though. It seems like having the power to tow something and having that battery power last long enough is probably a few decades away.

However, I do see a truck or SUV without towing capabilities potentially happening. I would love an electric Tacoma or 4Runner. I would probably prefer something that was a hybrid first.

 

[Bumbo]

I think the most likely thing to happen first is for a manufacturer to offer an SUV or truck that is full electric, but doesn't have the tow capabilities of a gasoline engine. Could totally be wrong though. It seems like having the power to tow something and having that battery power last long enough is probably a few decades away.

However, I do see a truck or SUV without towing capabilities potentially happening. I would love an electric Tacoma or 4Runner. I would probably prefer something that was a hybrid first.

The hybrid option would make the most sense… at least until charging and range is better addressed.


From a performance standpoint, electric motos makes it’s max torque at 0 RPM… it’s an ideal solution to getting a big heavy load moving. If they used electric to torque fill or assist in getting the truck going, it would probably help performance and gas mileage dramatically.

Even if they didn’t do it with batteries, they could accomplish it with super capacitors… which could capture charge from regenerative breaking and alternator. Regenerative breaking being the ideal solution as it can also be used to slow the truck or load, similar to a jake brake in a big rig.

Plus caps last forever, can deliver a ton of power, charge super-fast… don’t need a ton of them, just enough to help with torque fill. Plus its already being done… just not in anything I can afford (supercars). Proof of concept is there.

 

[Ausumm]

By the time they come up with a REALISTIC and viable electric version of a 4WD SUV, the technology will be so much better.
Kinda why they're sticking to just small to mid size cars at the moment.

I have an hour commute (each way)...
and I don't go off-road...
so as long as it could manage Pennsylvania winter weather...I'd be up for it.

 

[T4R_KAI]

I think the most likely thing to happen first is for a manufacturer to offer an SUV or truck that is full electric, but doesn't have the tow capabilities of a gasoline engine. Could totally be wrong though. It seems like having the power to tow something and having that battery power last long enough is probably a few decades away.

However, I do see a truck or SUV without towing capabilities potentially happening. I would love an electric Tacoma or 4Runner. I would probably prefer something that was a hybrid first.

Look into the company Rivian. US based company, I believe in Oregon. Full electric truck and SUV. Amazon just invested $700 million into them. Exciting times.

 

[williamlv282]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it yet but Toyota had the EV Rav4 with the Tesla drivetrain for a short minute. Was a pretty interesting vehicle.

At least they've been thinking about the concept for a while!

 

[MAST4R]

Look into the company Rivian. US based company, I believe in Oregon. Full electric truck and SUV. Amazon just invested $700 million into them. Exciting times.

Yeah, that's about the one vehicle out into the future of serious interest to me. The 5th gen gives me the best of the old tech without any of the currently popular stuff I do not care about. So, the next vehicle rather be a true leap forward in terms of what makes a 4x4 what it is and not just give me less power and more electronics I don't need.

On paper, it is perfect, in fact too good to be true: super capability out of the box for any trail worth driving for the scenery (goodbye aftermarket), great street performance, one electric motor per wheel (goodbye traditional power and drivetrains), and 400 mile range, which is enough for offroading in the Southwest in stock/near stock form and reasonable weight.

With 100k msrp for the version that offers all of the above, it might be possible. The way electrics lose value, it may be a bargain at 3 years old.

But in addition to "I will believe it when I see it," I worry about the battery life in the SW heat.

EDIT: the plug in Wrangler is in principle interesting to me down the road, once the kids are on their own and maybe the issues will be resolved by then but the moment the thought of a Jeep crosses my mind, I get to read something like the piece on the link below. I mean, it is hard to buy from a company like that Jeep Liberty Owners With Sky Slider Roof Are Screwed

 

[tv4184]

Tesla launches new Supercharger with 1,000 mph charging, better efficiency, and more

Not quite as quick as a fuel up but it's getting there.

 

[Evanite]

Electric cars are a very cool innovation, but most are not yet ready for them. I think the EV market will take at least a few more years to develop. Also, do not forget that many cities are simply not adapted for electric vehicles. The lack of charging stations is a big disadvantage for owners of electric vehicles and so far no one is in a hurry to solve this problem ... Usually I use maps to find a charging station, but there are times when they indicated, but in the real world they are simply absent. That is why, when I travel long distances, I use various forums like https: //myev.online dedicated to electric vehicles in order to find out where I can find a charging station. To be honest, this is very inconvenient, but so far I have not found a more reliable solution.