The EV fact thread

[poormansporsche]

Surely there must be some way for the turning wheels to charge the battery whilst being towed ? So that when you arrive at your muddy field in the @rse end of nowhere you have a fully charged car to whizz around in, virtually for freeeeee.....

 

[ALFAitalia]

Not for free.....all that power/electricity will be coming (indirectly and incorporating loses) out of the motorhomes fuel tank!!!

 

[Bellow]

Surely there must be some way for the turning wheels to charge the battery whilst being towed ? So that when you arrive at your muddy field in the @rse end of nowhere you have a fully charged car to whizz around in, virtually for freeeeee.....

That possibility is in my mind but it would need to be configurable or you'd end up towing a fireball. With a fully charged battery - what of the rotating motor?
Strikes me that the type of EV best suited to this is small eg, Citroen's Ami (for weight reasons alone) but there'd be the real possibility of towing it faster than it can propel itself. Without mechanically disengaging the motor, could it withstand the higher rpm?

 

[ALFAitalia]

All EVs have the ability to be disengaged from the "engine" to enable towing and recovery....similar to being in neutral in an ICE car ...Whether this is disconnected enough for towing, I've no idea.

 

[poormansporsche]

That possibility is in my mind but it would need to be configurable or you'd end up towing a fireball. With a fully charged battery - what of the rotating motor?
Strikes me that the type of EV best suited to this is small eg, Citroen's Ami (for weight reasons alone) but there'd be the real possibility of towing it faster than it can propel itself. Without mechanically disengaging the motor, could it withstand the higher rpm?

It's certainly a interesting concept and I'm sure it could be developed but I should imagine the market would be so small it just ain't going to happen.

On a side note I saw a 74 plate broken down Audi "Q" EV thingie being lifted from one of the extremely small EV charging spaces at work. It was proper scary and was so glad my car wasn't parked next to it.

 

[Bellow]

All EVs have the ability to be disengaged from the "engine" to enable towing and recovery....similar to being in neutral in an ICE car ...

Pretty sure that hasn't always been the case - or not with all EVs. Weren't there instances of Teslas with flat batteries that couldn't be moved without recharging? Just dragged their wheels when towed?
Mechanical or electrical disengagement? I've seen plenty photographs of EV transmissions and not once seen a clutch.

 

[Bellow]

It's certainly a interesting concept and I'm sure it could be developed but I should imagine the market would be so small it just ain't going to happen.

Might be useful but recharging facilities at camp sites would likely be more useful. In their absence however...
Main question is whether an EV can be safely towed behind an A-frame in the manner of manual ICE without incurring damage or unwanted drag.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Pretty sure that hasn't always been the case - or not with all EVs. Weren't there instances of Teslas with flat batteries that couldn't be moved without recharging? Just dragged their wheels when towed?
Mechanical or electrical disengagement? I've seen plenty photographs of EV transmissions and not once seen a clutch.

They have towing mode....but only for short distance to get in on truck etc.


Towing a Tesla Model S

1. Put the car in park and chock the tires
2. Press and hold the brake pedal
3. On the touchscreen, select Controls > Service > Towing
4. Select Enter Tow Mode
5. The button will turn blue to indicate that Tow Mode is active
6. Slowly roll the car for short distances or winch it onto a flatbed truck

Towing a Tesla Model X

1. Ensure the vehicle is not connected to a charger
2. Detect a key
3. Confirm the parking brake is engaged
4. Press and hold the brake pedal
5. If the vehicle has no low voltage power, attempt to jump start the low voltage system
6. Use the touchscreen to activate Tow Mode