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Diesel & petrol alternatives? Your thoughts please

KellyHenderson replied on 14/09/2017 14:26

KellyHenderson profile picture Staff

KellyHenderson

Posted on 14/09/2017 14:26

Good Afternoon,

Hopefully you have now received your September Club Magazine and read the Ask Your Club article (see attached photo) regarding the future of caravanning post 2040.

Have you already changed your vehicle from diesel to petrol?

Is anyone already towing with a hybrid? Maybe a Tesla Model X?

Has the news affected your plans for your next towcar?

It will also be interesting to see how motorhomes evolve into hybrids and/or electric models, which alternative to diesel would you prefer to buy; Hybrid or electric?

 Are you concerned about so few alternatives to diesel at the moment? Would you choose petrol instead if they were more widely available? There is now a VW T6 camper with a petrol engine available. 

Has this news made you think about switching to a car and caravan? Equally would caravanners consider trading in their car and caravan to purchase a hybrid or electric motorhome?

From the questions above, we would love to have your feedback.

One thing is for sure, there will be some interesting times ahead.

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brue replied on 23/02/2022 16:50

brue profile picture Member

brue

Motorhomer
Posted on 23/02/2022 16:46 by JVB66

With the price at this time of most EVs and lack of charging facilities ,it is one of the main reasons reading reports that the majority of sales are to companies for their employees as they would be,cheaper buy and  to keep on the road

Posted on 23/02/2022 16:50

Here are some sales figures for you >DATA<

JVB66 replied on 23/02/2022 16:51

JVB66 profile picture Member

JVB66

Campervanner from Hertfordshire
Posted on 23/02/2022 16:46 by brue

EVs have single speed transmission see HERE

 

Posted on 23/02/2022 16:51

So even more stress on the drive train than compared to a gearbox when towing ,another reason that manufacturers are reticent about EVs. towingsurprised,

Tinwheeler replied on 23/02/2022 17:06

Tinwheeler profile picture

Tinwheeler

Campervanner from Cornwall
Posted on 23/02/2022 16:51 by JVB66

So even more stress on the drive train than compared to a gearbox when towing ,another reason that manufacturers are reticent about EVs. towingsurprised,

Posted on 23/02/2022 17:06

I’d not have thought so. There’s no comparison between a linear drive electric motor and an ICE engine needing a clutch and gearbox, in my opinion.

ChocolateTrees replied on 23/02/2022 17:12

ChocolateTrees profile picture Member

ChocolateTrees

Caravanner from Northamptonshire
Posted on 23/02/2022 16:51 by JVB66

So even more stress on the drive train than compared to a gearbox when towing ,another reason that manufacturers are reticent about EVs. towingsurprised,

Posted on 23/02/2022 17:12

Huh? There is no drive train to stress. The most damaging parts of towing are gear changes (there are no gears), pushing large amounts of torque thorough the gear box and clutch if there is one or torque converter (there is no gear box clutch or torque converter), and breaking (EVs break using their regen and so wear their breaks far less - even when towing). 

Electric motors are far more stable under high torque loads than ICE engines, which can stall if the transmission is not sufficient.  

I would say the concern about the stress on the drive train is probably the bottom of the pile of worries that manufactures have over towing. Far more likely is the cost associated with homologation, spread over the much smaller sales that an EV might see compared to an ICE car, making the process costly. 

 

brue replied on 23/02/2022 17:17

brue profile picture Member

brue

Motorhomer
Posted on 23/02/2022 16:54 by JVB66

How many were private saleswink

And how many were bought by leasing companies 

Also how many were registered and not sold 

Posted on 23/02/2022 17:17

As far as I'm aware JVB Company and Fleet cars sales fell during Covid, however I would imagine that an EV would have economical benefits to any company considering buying or leasing them eg fuel and tax costs would drop considerably. 

I think you could possibly look these things up for yourself, all the information is out there.smile

JVB66 replied on 23/02/2022 17:24

JVB66 profile picture Member

JVB66

Campervanner from Hertfordshire
Posted on 23/02/2022 17:12 by ChocolateTrees

Huh? There is no drive train to stress. The most damaging parts of towing are gear changes (there are no gears), pushing large amounts of torque thorough the gear box and clutch if there is one or torque converter (there is no gear box clutch or torque converter), and breaking (EVs break using their regen and so wear their breaks far less - even when towing). 

Electric motors are far more stable under high torque loads than ICE engines, which can stall if the transmission is not sufficient.  

I would say the concern about the stress on the drive train is probably the bottom of the pile of worries that manufactures have over towing. Far more likely is the cost associated with homologation, spread over the much smaller sales that an EV might see compared to an ICE car, making the process costly. 

 

Posted on 23/02/2022 17:24

I was quoting from the info you posted 

ChocolateTrees replied on 23/02/2022 17:39

ChocolateTrees profile picture Member

ChocolateTrees

Caravanner from Northamptonshire
Posted on 23/02/2022 17:24 by JVB66

I was quoting from the info you posted 

Posted on 23/02/2022 17:39

I am confused - I said "Stress on the drive train is absolutely the last part that I would be worried about. No gear boxes, no clutches, no torque converters. Just a motor or two and a diff or two. " 

And posted a link to https://electrictowcars.co.uk which mentions that EVs make good tow cars - for example

"For instance, electric motors provide a lot of torque, and they produce that torque from very low speeds, a great attribute for towing. Furthermore, as electric cars are generally heavier than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars, that also aids their towing performance. As heavier cars are more stable tow cars, as you don’t want the tail (trailer) wagging the dog (tow car)."

Pretty sure at no point did I say there would be concern about more stress on the drive train?

 

 

JVB66 replied on 23/02/2022 17:44

JVB66 profile picture Member

JVB66

Campervanner from Hertfordshire
Posted on 23/02/2022 17:39 by ChocolateTrees

I am confused - I said "Stress on the drive train is absolutely the last part that I would be worried about. No gear boxes, no clutches, no torque converters. Just a motor or two and a diff or two. " 

And posted a link to https://electrictowcars.co.uk which mentions that EVs make good tow cars - for example

"For instance, electric motors provide a lot of torque, and they produce that torque from very low speeds, a great attribute for towing. Furthermore, as electric cars are generally heavier than ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) cars, that also aids their towing performance. As heavier cars are more stable tow cars, as you don’t want the tail (trailer) wagging the dog (tow car)."

Pretty sure at no point did I say there would be concern about more stress on the drive train?

 

 

Posted on 23/02/2022 17:44

It is in either your or oneputs posts 

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