Tesla pulling an 18 ft Wolf Pup.

[dr911]

Originally Posted by Teetime

I've had some discussions with someone who is ordering a new F150 EV and trying to figure out his towing capacity, distance, recharge time, etc.

I don't want to get out a calculator to plan a trip, but I am sure that is on another thread.

With a Tesla you don’t need a calculator to plan your trip as the car will do it for you. On a recent trip to Chicago from Ohio it told me to stop in Lafayette, IN for a 20 minute charge and directed me to the charging station. I had lunch while it charged. At 76 I don’t like driving all day to get from A to B, so a 20 minute break is good. Works for me.

[SetauketJeff]

Originally Posted by aircommuter

You must realize the gross rating of your system will be far greater the net output. As for the truck I think it will be ok if you don’t camp too far from home and make you trips over the flat land. I wouldn’t plan a trip to Bryce or Yosemite.

My brother got a 10 kw system a few years ago but now the power company has changed the rates and hours for time of use making his net savings reduced by 50%. Plus the power is sold on a tiered system so the more you use the higher the rate. They tell you to get solar then punish you for it.

I'm on Long Island in NY. We use "Net Metering" here. That means that when I make excess, (based on monthly use) it goes into an electric bank account based on kWh. (Kilo Watt Hours). Which gets zeroed out once a year (you choose the time, December for me). The local Utility PSEG under LIPA then pays you 8 cents per kWh for your annual excess. That's where you lose, if you make a large annual excess or have your account evaluated when there is excess in it (Spring and Summer). We're paying around 23.5 cents per kWh including delivery and fees.

I didn't mention that I'm a solar designer, and for 6 years was a board member and Lobbyist for LISEIA (Long Island Solar Energy Industry Association). But for this discussion we don't need to dive deep into the tech.

As per range, there are a few options (charging stations, generator, plug in overnight at campsite or truck stop). The one disadvantage of EVs we all can agree on is range. And, do I really want to drive more than 5 hours without stopping? Also considering that the vehicle will be used much more for daily local driving than our 3-4 camping trips a year.

[SetauketJeff]

Originally Posted by dr911

With a Tesla you don’t need a calculator to plan your trip as the car will do it for you. On a recent trip to Chicago from Ohio it told me to stop in Lafayette, IN for a 20 minute charge and directed me to the charging station. I had lunch while it charged. At 76 I don’t like driving all day to get from A to B, so a 20 minute break is good. Works for me.

Ford claims that their system will have the same capabilities. I''ll believe it when I see the first Lightnings. Also think about the possibility of charging stations at all of the Ford dealerships. They're not saying, but I'm seeing banks of them going in......

[FrankG]

Originally Posted by Rick g

As far as the grid not being to handle the electric draw of all the EV’s, its not true. Almost all EV’s charge at home overnight during low peak hrs. (Most retail, commercial, industrial not using much power at night). !😎

I drive I-75 central Florida to Northern Ohio several times a year, yesterday somewhere way south of Atlanta there is the largest solar field nearing completion I have seen. I would think several 100's of acres. How are these going to help the overnight charging scenario.

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by Rick g

As far as the grid not being to handle the electric draw of all the EV’s, its not true. Almost all EV’s charge at home overnight during low peak hrs. (Most retail, commercial, industrial not using much power at night).

You are correct about overnight charging.
Where you find the grid unable to handle the power requirements are parking garages either commercial or residential where you might have 50-60 vehicles all wanting to charge at the same time.
Perhaps you've noticed at places where they have installed charging stations you'll typically see 5-6 spots, there is just not enough power (at this time) coming to those locations for more.

[Rick g]

Originally Posted by FrankG

I drive I-75 central Florida to Northern Ohio several times a year, yesterday somewhere way south of Atlanta there is the largest solar field nearing completion I have seen. I would think several 100's of acres. How are these going to help the overnight charging scenario.

They aren’t. But they will help with the peak periods during the day. No one solution is the only answer or perfect, but i think most will agree we need to find alternative sources to fossil fuels. Change is hard, but I have faith in our younger generations that arent as resistant to change. 😎

[tyler811]

Originally Posted by lazyjj

It isn't that a lot of people are uneducated about electric vehicles it is the fact that our current so called regime keeps trying to stick the green energy crap down everyone's throats. A Tesla is a very nice car. Just asked a guy in our office complex all kinds of questions yesterday about the one he is driving. It is very intriguing to say the least but I don't see me spending the dollars is cost to purchase one. Retiring from the working life for good in June 2022 so don't need a commuter any longer.

Actually there is alot of uneducated people out there and I am one. Part of the reason I posted this thread. To learn something new, seems some people are afraid to learn but I like to expand my knowledge.


Right now an EV is not for me as we travel too many miles but in the future who knows. Reading brochures don't get it, I like to hear real world experience and this guy told alot. But we we were gone all day geocaching so I could ask him about payload and towing and such.

[FrankG]

Originally Posted by Rick g

They aren’t. But they will help with the peak periods during the day. No one solution is the only answer or perfect, but i think most will agree we need to find alternative sources to fossil fuels. Change is hard, but I have faith in our younger generations that arent as resistant to change. 😎

We've had the answer for over 60 years, Nuclear, the unit I qualified on 55 years ago was amazing.

[rsdata]

power companies are building 100-500 acre solar farms in the mid-west... I know of two now, one in central KY and a new one going in just east of Columbus OH... considering how cloudy it often is in this area of the country I will bet they have to build them 50% larger for equivalent power then more sunny areas...

I suspect my electric bill has already increased to cover this investment...

I'm not resistant to change, I actually like intelligently thought out change, but at times feel like things are being forced.

[tyler811]

Here is the link to porta fire.


We like as it raises the fire somewhat off the ground and the air gets to the bottom making it easier to lite. Takes seconds to put together and take down. Fits in a small bag also just make sure the metal is not hot or warm when you pack it away

[curteric]

When Nissan brought out the Leaf it had the best range of all electrics. I don’t remember what year it was, I talked to the local power company. They would allow me charge it on Off Peak power at a reduced rate. It had an advertised range of 80 miles. The wife had a 40 mile round trip commute. I called Nissan to find out if the car could get her to town and back on a charge in Minnesota’s cold winters. She left home and returned in the dark, with lights and heat, she might make it to town. It would definitely have to be charged while she was at work to get home.
I know that electric car ranges have changed significantly since then, but weather temperature has an effect on range especially cold because heaters are resistance coils. Nissan told me that as much as they would like to sell me a car, it wasn’t feasible at the time.

[Trawlerphil]

I'm surprised you aren't still driving a horse? Filling up my 74Kwh battery in my Tesla costs $8.14 and it will run for 326 miles. The EPA figures my comparable gas mileage is 125MPG, and I'm just under 500HP. The maintenance section of my manual says to check the windshield washer fluid every few weeks. Saving the planet is not my objective, just saving my sorry 75 year old butt from oil changes, filters, tune-ups, and mechanical failures. I think internal combustion engines will be over in my lifetime of which there's not a lot left.

[rsdata]

I think internal combustion engines will be over in my lifetime of which there's not a lot left.

I will give you another 10 years of life FREE... hopefully longer BUT, there is some reality to deal with...

Where is all of that rare earth material to build batteries and motors going to come from?

May 5, 2021 .

The world won’t be able to tackle the climate crisis unless there is a sharp increase in the supply of metals required to produce electric cars, solar panels, wind turbines and other clean energy technologies, according to the International Energy Agency.

As countries switch to green energy, demand for copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements is soaring. But they are all vulnerable to price volatility and shortages, the agency warned in a report published on Wednesday, because their supply chains are opaque, the quality of available deposits is declining and mining companies face stricter environmental and social standards.

Nov 11, 2020

MP Materials, which operates the largest rare earth element mines in the Western Hemisphere, had a big week.

It was one of three companies on Nov. 17 to receive Defense Department grants intended to return rare earth production to the United States. The following day it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Pentagon awarded a Defense Production Act Title III grant worth $9.6 million to MP Materials so it can begin to refine the strategic minerals at its Mountain Pass, California, mine.

“This grant from the DoD is outstanding. It's humbling. And we're very proud of the fact that DoD is supporting us,” James Litinsky, the company's CEO, told National Defense in an interview.

The Mountain Pass mine is the largest producer of rare earth elements in the Western Hemisphere and constitutes 15 percent of the world’s production of the minerals, which are essential to manufacture high performance magnets. China currently has a near monopoly on refining the elements and producing the magnets, which are used in a variety of weapon systems as well as commercial goods such as wind turbines and electric vehicles.

On Sept. 30, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 13817, which — among other items — seeks to return rare earth production to the United States and break China’s dominance over the supply chain.

Thank you President Trump... again

[MrPalazzo]

the new Ford F150 LIGHTNING all - electric/battery TRUCK coming out next year is also part of this 'equation'...as, no, no one buying it will be trying to 'save the planet'(whatever that means, anyway)...but will be wanting a vehicle that can TOW, can provide POWER to the very Camper they are towing, and can exceedf 200-300 miles EVEN when towing, especially smaller travel trailers.
Yes, a typical campground 50amp 240v outlet is going to take a while to 'recharge' that Tesla, or any other battery vehicle - and I own TWO Nissan Leafs, but that is only what's called a Level 2 'slow charge'... the FAST CHARGE DC Fast Chargers that are much larger and support up to 300kw per hour of charge can do it in as little as a single hour.

No one is trying to save the planet by driving an electric/battery vehicle, or if they think they are, they are just as mistaken as all the talk about us 'humans' having some sort of impact on something called 'global warming'(whatever that is!)... which is bunk.

Most of us battery-powered vehicle owners do it because it makes SENSE for our needs, they are POWERFUL vehicles and can beat ANYTHING else from the stop light, period. But, most aren't using it for the 'power' and torque, but for the ease-of-maintenance and convenience of no more fuel station stops.

[Learjet]

https://medium.com/tradr/teslas-appr...n-5af99b62aa0e

[Patty56]

Where did you buy that at???

[Rick J]

Originally Posted by Serenity-RV

What's wrong with saving the planet or even trying to? I camp to see the wonders of the country and I like the idea of those wonders staying around. Electric vehicles are not the ultimate solution but they are a step away from older technologies that we know are damaging.

That's the myth EV owners spread. The entire airline industry in North America uses 19 billion gallons of fuel to fly hundreds of milloins of people. Mining for lithium and cobalt uses 21 billion gallons of fuel to produce 250,000 EV batteries that transport on average 250,000 people. That doesn't count the oil used to make the cars and batteries or Foss fuels to charge them.

[RobertDS]

Originally Posted by rsdata

I will give you another 10 years of life FREE... hopefully longer BUT, there is some reality to deal with...

Where is all of that rare earth material to build batteries and motors going to come from?





Thank you President Trump... again

Hmm, quotes are just fabrics of an imagination unless they are accompanied by the source(s).

[BlancoKat]

Last month I pulled a Wolf Pup 16FQ over 4000 miles, including over the Blue Ridge, with an 11 year-old light pickup (Nissan Frontier SL). It can be done, and while the cruise control had trouble keeping up, the truck itself managed even the hills without giving up.

I've also had a couple of hybrid autos (both Fords), and can second the notion that EVs are the way to go especially with regard to operating costs, but also for performance and accessories. My next truck will be electric if I can possibly afford it. The new F150 EV is definitely on my wishlist!

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by MrPalazzo

the new Ford F150 LIGHTNING all - electric/battery TRUCK coming out next year is also part of this 'equation'...as, no, no one buying it will be trying to 'save the planet'(whatever that means, anyway)...but will be wanting a vehicle that can TOW, can provide POWER to the very Camper they are towing, and can exceedf 200-300 miles EVEN when towing, especially smaller travel trailers.
Yes, a typical campground 50amp 240v outlet is going to take a while to 'recharge' that Tesla, or any other battery vehicle - and I own TWO Nissan Leafs, but that is only what's called a Level 2 'slow charge'... the FAST CHARGE DC Fast Chargers that are much larger and support up to 300kw per hour of charge can do it in as little as a single hour.

No one is trying to save the planet by driving an electric/battery vehicle, or if they think they are, they are just as mistaken as all the talk about us 'humans' having some sort of impact on something called 'global warming'(whatever that is!)... which is bunk.

Most of us battery-powered vehicle owners do it because it makes SENSE for our needs, they are POWERFUL vehicles and can beat ANYTHING else from the stop light, period. But, most aren't using it for the 'power' and torque, but for the ease-of-maintenance and convenience of no more fuel station stops.

No more fuel station stops?