Should electric cars tow a trailer

[WYtreasure]

covered with solar panels? ?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

No.

 

[pollenface]

It's up to the individual, if that's what makes them happy.

Personally I'd rather tow a boat

 

[svetz]

I agree with @sunshine_eggo , at least for normal driving conditions.

The main drag forces on a vehicle at highway speeds are from aerodynamics (wind resistance). This is why you can do a solar trailer for the S-Bike, it works because the speed is so slow the aerodynamic forces are minor.

But what happens when you consider more "normal" driving conditions over 20 mph? The Tesla Semi is expected to consume 2 kWh per mile.

Panels on top of a Tesla Semi Trailer?
8.6'x42' = 361 ft². There's about 93 W/ft², so with a hyper-efficient 25% panels that's an 8.4 kW array. Say it gets an insolation of 4, so 33.5 kWh/d. That's a "free" 16 miles per day on a truck that goes 500 miles on a single charge. You could do it, but it's cost and complication on the vehicle for very little reward.

 

[HRTKD]

My Nissan Leaf can't charge while in motion.

Making a semi-trailer that has to be paired with a specific tractor may not work well in the trucking industry where an on-road tractor that sits around waiting for the trailer to be loaded isn't making money.

 

[WYtreasure]

My Nissan Leaf can't charge while in motion.

I agree with @sunshine_eggo , at least for normal driving conditions.

No.

HeLLo Hum0r fourem!!!

 

[HRTKD]

What's the tongue weight on that trailer? I would go with an aluminum trailer to save on weight.

We take this PV stuff seriously, don'tcha know?

 

[Delmar]

Tesla range extender.

 

[Supervstech]

covered with solar panels? ?

Need pics for this question…

 

[time2roll]

covered with solar panels? ?

Actually could work well on a semi trailer. Just wait for the larger 8' wide 100v panels to start production.

 

[curiouscarbon]

HeLLo Hum0r fourem!!!
View attachment 81068

THIS IS AMAZING, WHERE DO I BUY ONE? PLEASE I NEED TO KNOW FOR.. REASONS

 

[curiouscarbon]

started designing one of these for serious in CAD, then decided stationary first lol.

rather than charging in motion, was gonna have a 1 kWh - 10 kWh pack under the panels with an inverter, so the trailer charges while in transit and then charge while parked. of course with linear actuators to track the panels to the sun, and for optimized aerodynamic downforce and of course optional air braking maneuver.. wait, we are talking about solar, right? ?

 

[curiouscarbon]

*rides into sunset*

*suddenly runs out of power*​

 

[curiouscarbon]

It's up to the individual, if that's what makes them happy.

Personally I'd rather tow a boat

a boat with solar panels?!?!?

 

[time2roll]

a boat with solar panels?!?!?

Yes the paddle wheel would be a great place to mount them.

 

[svetz]

Yes the paddle wheel would be a great place to mount them.

Sweet! Self cleaning!

 

[x4dow]

covered with solar panels? ?

no. the balance between extra drag vs production you'd find you'd need to keep the car parked in the sun for a full month to compensate for 30-60min of driving.

 

[sunshine]

no. the balance between extra drag vs production you'd find you'd need to keep the car parked in the sun for a full month to compensate for 30-60min of driving.

There are always exceptions.

Already there is a trailer + PV + battery + motors on the wheels.....link...

 

[curiouscarbon]

Yes the paddle wheel would be a great place to mount them.

the water will lower the temperature of the panels, and increase their voltage and thus energy yield! ?

 

[curiouscarbon]

let's face it, solar powered vehicles, are just plain impractical!