EV trailer range extender

[efusco]

I was on the other side of the planet when this came out almost a year ago, but it's brilliant, IMO.

Key things I like:
1)It's self propelled--no drag (or very little) on the EV as it matches the vehicle speed.

2)Diesel--should be efficient and allows the option of biodiesel (you could bring your own if you want).

3)Cargo area--so you're not just hauling a generator, you've actually got nice enclosed cargo space for your extra stuff too--which is a good thing esp. for small EVs.

This, IMO, makes so much more sense than the Volt "range extender" that you have to haul around everywhere you go even when you're not going very far. I'll have to give this serious consideration when I get my Model S as it would be an ideal long distance trip solution. The only drawback is that it costs almost as much as a small car at $15k.

Range-Extending Trailer Charges Your EV, Carries Your Gear | Autopia | Wired.com

[sub3marathonman]

They're not the first. If you've got a Rav4EV sitting around, you could use the "Long Ranger" to get extra range. Rav Long Ranger

[JimboPalmer]

That is why I was disappointed that the Leaf has it charge port in the nose.

[fotomoto]

I thought it was a joke when it was first announced back then. Umm, you guys did see the price, right?

$15,000

[efusco]

Originally Posted by sub3marathonman

They're not the first. If you've got a Rav4EV sitting around, you could use the "Long Ranger" to get extra range. Rav Long Ranger

I've seen other similar items, but I'm taken by the incorporation of the self-propelled feature of the trailer I posted as well as the added cargo space.

[bisco]

how does sel propelled effect handling of your primary vehicle?

[efusco]

Originally Posted by bisco

how does sel propelled effect handling of your primary vehicle?

No idea but I woudn't expect it to have much impact.

“We decided that this thing has to be completely self-powered and guided by the host vehicle,” Cashen said. “It couldn’t be in a position where it’s being towed. We designed something called the Smart Hitch — the brains behind the entire Pru vehicle. It sends a signal to the speed controller based on the pulling, tugging or tension that’s delivered to the hitch when the host vehicle moves.”

With the hitch in place, the Pru always propels itself with an internal 240V DC motor to match the car’s speed so there is no stress on the EV. “We made it so it never taxes the electric car, so that the electric car never has to tow anything,” Cashen said. A GPS unit uses data from Google Earth to determine topographic variations that may affect the battery’s duty cycle.

[bisco]

huh. i guess you'd have to try it. definitely a radical idea.

[hill]

Originally Posted by JimboPalmer

That is why I was disappointed that the Leaf has it charge port in the nose.

Jimbo, you don't use the nose port to access a connection point for trailer/generator CS mode. I believe the RAV4-EV gen-set went through the braking/regen path. That makes sense, because the regular charge ports (side OR nose) are designed to be accessed only after the EV's are turned off.

Originally Posted by efusco

I've seen other similar items, but I'm taken by the incorporation of the self-propelled feature of the trailer I posted as well as the added cargo space.

Well shoot - if the trailer is self propelled, then let it push the EV and eventually it'll regen! . . . . . maybe even ride the brakes for even quicker regen.


Now - if it's PORTABILITY you're lookin' for . . . trailer shmailer . . . . how can you beat THIS:

[dustoff003]

I was thinking instead of towing a trailer one could install a trailer hitch then get one of those hitch carrier racks and put a small quiet Honda EU2000 generator on it.