Page 41 - Green Builder Nov-Dec 2021 Issue

COURTESY OF FORD MOTOR CO. BUT CAN THEY TOW? Electric motors have tremendous torque and

power, but their range depends on the details.

HAT’S KNOWN ABOUT ELECTRIC kind of hitch in their EV work trucks. Ford, in tread wear and other factors affect towing
VEHICLE (EV) TRUCKS is that they particular, has a sophisticated monitoring range. One can imagine a scenario, for example,
Whave enough power to tow substantial system that estimates the tow load and its where a builder wants to know if an EV truck
loads. What’s not known is exactly how real-world impact on range. The F-150 Lightning will have a can safely haul a maxxed out load of lumber
variables will affect their towing range. Past 10,000-pound towing capacity. That’s enough up a 6-mile highway incline on Route 84 in
studies of EVs have found that their range with a to haul a mid-sized ditch digger to the jobsite, or Pennsylvania. Fortunately, the availability of
trailer in tow can drop significantly. For example, a haul a load of construction and demolition (C&D) charging stations nationwide keeps rising (see
field test of a Tesla Model 3 towing a 750-pound waste to the landfill. Meanwhile, the Rivian R1T “charging station” caption/sidebar). That means
trailer noted an efficiency drop of 40 percent. claims an 11,000-pound towing capacity. that even with heavy loads, you may be able to
It’s obvious that these truck makers know As EV trucks hit the road, we’ll see a wealth jump from one charge station to the next to
towing matters. Most have included some of new data about how inclines, trailer shape, keep batteries topped off.

CHARGING
STATIONS.

Public EV charging stations have
proliferated in the U.S., making
cross-country travel with battery
power much more viable. Many more
are on the way. For example,
GM has announced that it will
install 40,000 new Ultium charging
stations across the U.S. and Canada
by 2025, helping fill gaps in so-
called “charging deserts,” where
charging stations are lacking.
SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

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