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Engineering Explained goes into detail as to why some EV trucks can’t tow long distance
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:46 am
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:46 am
YouTube Engineering Explained
It has to do with the designed optimization of aerodynamics and the battery size.
Hey takeaways:
Mercedes Benz demonstrates the aero dilemma by towing with two EV’s with varying aerodynamics. The sedan had far more range loss when towing than an SUV with the same electric powertrain.
The Cybertruck is extremely aerodynamic, but loses about 60% of its range when towing. It’s highly efficient but is very susceptible to additional drag of the trailer because of the shape of the vehicle. Tesla expects Cybertruck owners to drive around without a trailer most of the time, so optimized it for driving with nothing in tow. The aero that makes it so efficient without a trailer hurts it significantly when towing.
The F-150 Lightning can only go about 100 miles when towing a 6500 lb trailer - it’s range completely collapses with a trailer. It’s possibly the worst modern EV on the market when it comes to towing efficiency. It’s an inefficient design that would benefit from better batteries and better aerodynamics considered during the design process.
Oddly enough, the Silverado EV can go up to 500 miles without towing, and has lowest parasitic loss due to trailer drag when towing (which gave it the longest tow range by far). It also has a massive battery whose real size and design details isn’t disclosed by the manufacturer. This one has a traditional front shape, but with aero elements along the sides and the rear that help reduce the effect of a trailer. Apparently that’s the secret when it comes to long range towing in pickups: build something as close to a semi truck in shape as possible.
The Tesla semi’s shape is what makes it an efficient long range tow vehicle.
It has to do with the designed optimization of aerodynamics and the battery size.
Hey takeaways:
Mercedes Benz demonstrates the aero dilemma by towing with two EV’s with varying aerodynamics. The sedan had far more range loss when towing than an SUV with the same electric powertrain.
The Cybertruck is extremely aerodynamic, but loses about 60% of its range when towing. It’s highly efficient but is very susceptible to additional drag of the trailer because of the shape of the vehicle. Tesla expects Cybertruck owners to drive around without a trailer most of the time, so optimized it for driving with nothing in tow. The aero that makes it so efficient without a trailer hurts it significantly when towing.
The F-150 Lightning can only go about 100 miles when towing a 6500 lb trailer - it’s range completely collapses with a trailer. It’s possibly the worst modern EV on the market when it comes to towing efficiency. It’s an inefficient design that would benefit from better batteries and better aerodynamics considered during the design process.
Oddly enough, the Silverado EV can go up to 500 miles without towing, and has lowest parasitic loss due to trailer drag when towing (which gave it the longest tow range by far). It also has a massive battery whose real size and design details isn’t disclosed by the manufacturer. This one has a traditional front shape, but with aero elements along the sides and the rear that help reduce the effect of a trailer. Apparently that’s the secret when it comes to long range towing in pickups: build something as close to a semi truck in shape as possible.
The Tesla semi’s shape is what makes it an efficient long range tow vehicle.
11
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:48 am to dewster
Without reading, is it because it’s too much drain on the battery? 
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:49 am to dewster
Or just buy an ICE vehicle if you plan to tow.
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:54 am to dewster
Dragging something heavy uses a lot more energy. Shocking take really.
This post was edited on 3/24/24 at 12:02 pm
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:55 am to dewster
Imagine having a vehicle that burned 80% more fuel after 100k miles.
Lol.
Lmao, even
Lol.
Lmao, even
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:56 am to CaptainsWafer
I dont understand why more hybrid trucks arent made. combine electric with a 3.0 liter diesel like what is used in the chevy trucks. most people arent driving hundreds of miles a day. a truck that could do 100-200 miles on electric but also has a engine for long trips or towing etc would be optimal. Jeep does this with the grand cherokee and wrangler and it works well but only gets around 28 miles on electric. expand this to 100 miles on electric and it would be a very good design.
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:58 am to diat150
quote:
I dont understand why more hybrid trucks arent made
There will be. Energy storage tech had been pretty much garbage until everyone started investing in developing the tech for battery EVs. Now that it’s getting better we’ll start seeing better hybrid options.
Posted on 3/24/24 at 11:58 am to PrecedentedTimes
quote:
Imagine having a vehicle that burned 80% more fuel after 100k miles.
Can you elaborate on this?
Posted on 3/24/24 at 12:37 pm to diat150
quote:
a truck that could do 100-200 miles on electric but also has a engine for long trips or towing etc would be optimal.
The 2025 Ram Charger is doing exactly that.
Posted on 3/24/24 at 12:42 pm to billjamin
quote:
Dragging something heavy uses a lot more energy. Shocking take really.
Lol right.
Next thing they will tell me is that towing lowers my fuel economy on my ICE vehicles
Posted on 3/24/24 at 12:43 pm to PrecedentedTimes
quote:
Imagine having a vehicle that burned 80% more fuel after 100k miles.
Wut?
Posted on 3/24/24 at 12:52 pm to NewIberiaHaircut
quote:
The 2025 Ram Charger is doing exactly that.
nice. looks like they are also building a super cruise like system for it. Id love to get out of this chevy with super cruise but I like the super cruise too much and nobody has anything similar.
Posted on 3/24/24 at 1:20 pm to dewster
We need electrically-powered trailers.
Posted on 3/24/24 at 3:12 pm to dewster
What is the point of a truck that can't carry a load?
Posted on 3/24/24 at 3:43 pm to diat150
quote:
I dont understand why more hybrid trucks arent made.
Hybrid is the way for the next decade, easy, for both cars and trucks. I have literally zero idea why so many manufacturers are going all or nothing with electric.
Posted on 3/24/24 at 3:49 pm to diat150
quote:
I dont understand why more hybrid trucks arent made. combine electric with a 3.0 liter diesel like what is used in the chevy trucks. most people arent driving hundreds of miles a day. a truck that could do 100-200 miles on electric but also has a engine for long trips or towing etc would be optimal. Jeep does this with the grand cherokee and wrangler and it works well but only gets around 28 miles on electric. expand this to 100 miles on electric and it would be a very good design.
I’ve been beating this drum for a long time as well, but I do think it’s a bit more complicated than it seems at first.
Regular (non plug-in) hybrids get their fuel efficiency gains from the fact that the engine can run at a nearly constant load. It’s either charging the battery when you’re stopped or turning the wheels when you’re cruising (different method for series vs. parallel hybrids but same concept). The battery lets you store the excess energy from both the engine and regenerative braking, then use it for acceleration.
This means the engine can always run in the most efficient part of its power band, which makes an enormous difference to overall fuel efficiency. However, it also means you have to get the engine design just right. If the engine is too small you either have to push it harder during certain driving conditions (reducing efficiency), or worse, don’t have enough power. If the engine is too large you lose efficiency because of wasted energy.
For a car it’s not too difficult because the weight of the car + payload is basically constant. For any vehicle that’s going to tow a load it’s much more complicated. Loads and trailer aerodynamics will vary considerably. And what about daily driving without a load? If you have enough excess power available for towing you probably have lower fuel efficiency than optimizing for daily driving. Are the overall fuel savings still enough to offset the higher cost due of a hybrid drivetrain?
Diesel-electric locomotives get around this issue because they can simply add more engines for bigger loads but that doesn’t work for trucks. I suspect we will get to hybrid trucks eventually but it’s definitely more complex than it appears.
Posted on 3/24/24 at 4:10 pm to billjamin
quote:
Dragging something heavy uses a lot more energy. Shocking take really.
Does towing cut down on gas mileage?
Posted on 3/24/24 at 4:11 pm to dewster
That shite was hard to watch...
Posted on 3/24/24 at 4:12 pm to aTmTexas Dillo
quote:
Does towing cut down on gas mileage?
Yes
Posted on 3/24/24 at 4:18 pm to Joshjrn
quote:
I have literally zero idea why so many manufacturers are going all or nothing with electric.
Gotta get that funding somewhere.
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