Quote:
Originally Posted by rynosback
I think the next big thing will be an electric pick up. The torque and power of an electric truck would be unmatched. What they need to really do is put a generator that runs on propane to keep the batteries charged giving it a unlimited range. Can you imagine getting 60-70 mpg equivalent towing 30k?
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In my opinion, economics are not too favorable yet for electric because RV trailers don’t get driven enough miles to pay for the investment. The electric range pulling a 5er would be unacceptably short, and adding a generator to extend range would not accomplish enough over a standard drivetrain burning gasoline or propane. In case of large trucks like proposed by Tesla, they get driven as much as 100,000 miles per year or more.
That’s why I think that for many RV buyers, a large and powerful gasoline engine option that could tow, say, 20,000-pound trailer may be very successful. Other than lower fuel economy, I’m not aware of any reason why a gasoline engine can’t be designed and built tough enough for any size trailer.
For example, if Ford produced a 500 HP gasoline engine for Super Duty pickups, would it cannibalize PowerStroke sales? Probably so, which is partly why they haven’t.
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