THE ALL NEW LAND CRUISER....

[Canyonero]

I will just throw electricity on this battery by mentioning that when you’re out of gas you’re out of gas. Solar power on the other hand is available anywhere.

A fold out solar array could be compact enough to include in overlanding gear, and in a worst case scenario you might be delayed a day instead of truly SOL without enough fuel.

Anyway, I’m sure it’s a long ways off, but it does seem to be a solution on the horizon.

 

[bloc]

All this talk of instant torque makes me wonder how much heavier the driveline would need to be to cope with it... in a time they really seem to want to make vehicles lighter.

Also, is -anyone- talking about developing a hybrid in a towing type use case? Seems like a big engineering problem. If x percentage of your power is provided by batteries it just won’t be here after the first few minutes of an extended climb, reducing your total HP. I don’t see a way around this

 

[LBridges]

Ever since the 300 series thread started I've been thinking about Hyundai and their ship & train diesel/electric systems - just downsized a bunch.

Seems to me one could put in a diesel (or gas) engine that when needed for high demand and/or recharge conditions that could run at a constant/most efficient speed to drive a generator. Electric motors could independently power each wheel yielding possibilities for great articulation, low speed torque application, and unique computer driven 4WD capability.

Basically a modified hybrid system, unlike in current Toyota vehicles - where the electric motors and gas engines are both coupled to the wheels.

 

[linuxgod]

I will just throw electricity on this battery by mentioning that when you’re out of gas you’re out of gas. Solar power on the other hand is available anywhere.

A fold out solar array could be compact enough to include in overlanding gear, and in a worst case scenario you might be delayed a day instead of truly SOL without enough fuel.

Anyway, I’m sure it’s a long ways off, but it does seem to be a solution on the horizon.

You'd need solar efficiency to be at least an order of magnitude more efficient than it is today. It would probably take days of recharging if you ran out of juice... and possibly weeks. A 100AH battery delivers about 1.2kwh (100Ah x 12V). With 350W of solar on my trailer (2 panels about 2'x5' each) I've peaked at about 180W in full sun in Texas (so about 50% efficient), which takes about 8-12 hours to fully charge that battery depending on depth of discharge (bulk charge is ~12A @ 14.6V). 1.2kwh is nothing when you consider most EV battery packs hold 50-100kwh. If you put two smaller 100W flexible solar panels on the roof (which assumes you have no rack and nothing on top) you might get half that charge, so 500-800kwh/day. Even at 100% efficiency with 2x 100W panels and 8 good hours of sun you'd max out at 1.6kwh. That'll run a golf cart for a couple hours but not a 7000# overlanding rig

I hope to see the day when solar charging is sufficiently efficient and EVs are an option for overlanding, but I think it's still 2-3 decades away.

 

[linuxgod]

All this talk of instant torque makes me wonder how much heavier the driveline would need to be to cope with it... in a time they really seem to want to make vehicles lighter.

Also, is -anyone- talking about developing a hybrid in a towing type use case? Seems like a big engineering problem. If x percentage of your power is provided by batteries it just won’t be here after the first few minutes of an extended climb, reducing your total HP. I don’t see a way around this

Tesla, Volvo, and a few other manufacturers are trying to move battery tech into big rigs (18 wheelers) with the goal of being able to run a few hundred miles per day.

Hybrid tech is aimed at improving MPG for street use to boost CAFE numbers currently.

 

[JohnJB]

Also, is -anyone- talking about developing a hybrid in a towing type use case? Seems like a big engineering problem. If x percentage of your power is provided by batteries it just won’t be here after the first few minutes of an extended climb, reducing your total HP. I don’t see a way around this

If I understand your question correctly, the answer is absolutely. Just look at what RAM is doing with their new eTorque system. Any of these mild hybrid, 48 volt systems work roughly the same way. The hybrid aspect is not meant to add to max torque, rather it broadens the torque band, specifically off idle to 1500 rpm. As for weight, the whole system adds about 100 pounds to the truck's weight, which is actually offset by additional use of lightweight material or design, even with the system the latest RAM 1500 weighs about 200 pounds less than its outgoing counterpart.

Now if you mean a battery powered vehicle with a gas engine as a backup generator, say like a BMW i3 w/ the range extender. No, I haven't seen that yet.

 

[TeCKis300]

Another nail in the diesel coffin. Cadillac stops work on all diesel development. EVs have the future.

https://jalopnik.com/cadillac-is-putting-their-diesel-program-on-hold-becaus-1829092288

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

EVs are awesome. Having spent my whole life tearing apart and building motors, I'd be happy to never have to mess with oil leaks again. But, I will be surprised if the world ever sees a body-on-frame with at least a rear solid axle that is 100% electric.

Maybe the wrangler will see it?

 

[TeCKis300]

^I've toyed with the idea of building a hybrid 6x6, with electric 3rd axle. 3rd axle would enable enough payload to carry a substantial battery pack. Custom bracket to mount a direct drive motor on the input flange of the diff. There are readily available motors, controllers, and integration electronics to make this happen. Potentially easier than via a second transfer case for 6x6 drive.

Imagine overlanding, with all that battery reserve in in the traction motor to do whatever with. Even run an A/C all day.

If I only had the time... This full time job thing gets in the way.

 

[FJ73Texas]

That 200 series TRD Pro Landcruiser with the hood scoop looks hideous to me but not as bad as the 2019 TRD Pro Tundra hood scoop.

 

[Canyonero]

You'd need solar efficiency to be at least an order of magnitude more efficient than it is today. It would probably take days of recharging if you ran out of juice... and possibly weeks. A 100AH battery delivers about 1.2kwh (100Ah x 12V). With 350W of solar on my trailer (2 panels about 2'x5' each) I've peaked at about 180W in full sun in Texas (so about 50% efficient), which takes about 8-12 hours to fully charge that battery depending on depth of discharge (bulk charge is ~12A @ 14.6V). 1.2kwh is nothing when you consider most EV battery packs hold 50-100kwh. If you put two smaller 100W flexible solar panels on the roof (which assumes you have no rack and nothing on top) you might get half that charge, so 500-800kwh/day. Even at 100% efficiency with 2x 100W panels and 8 good hours of sun you'd max out at 1.6kwh. That'll run a golf cart for a couple hours but not a 7000# overlanding rig

I hope to see the day when solar charging is sufficiently efficient and EVs are an option for overlanding, but I think it's still 2-3 decades away.

Yes, but is your premise based on the idea of fully charging a 100 AH battery?

What I'm saying is that you probably only need to charge enough to get to a charging station - take your Bollinger B1 to the nearest Tesla Supercharging Station (of which there are now 11,000 and 99% of the population is within 150 miles of one) and you're set. - Tesla Supercharger network pitched as charging partner for electric truck startup

 

[Markuson]

Yes, but is your premise based on the idea of fully charging a 100 AH battery?

What I'm saying is that you probably only need to charge enough to get to a charging station - take your Bollinger B1 to the nearest Tesla Supercharging Station (of which there are now 11,000 and 99% of the population is within 150 miles of one) and you're set. - Tesla Supercharger network pitched as charging partner for electric truck startup

For our purposes though...wouldn’t you agree that the odds of being within partial-charge-distance of a charging station when off roading would be slim at best? -Especially considering we’re talking a heavy rig, steep climbs, camping & recovery gear, and anything but low-resistance, Highway miles?

It does seem like we are a very long way away from that...unless there’s a generator on board that can directly power the electric motors in the case of a fully depleted battery.

Whatchu think?

 

[linuxgod]

For our purposes though...wouldn’t you agree that the odds of being within partial-charge-distance of a charging station when off roading would be slim at best? -Especially considering we’re talking a heavy rig, steep climbs, camping & recovery gear, and anything but low-resistance, Highway miles?

It does seem like we are a very long way away from that...unless there’s a generator on board that can directly power the electric motors in the case of a fully depleted battery.

Whatchu think?

That was my thought. It's not that I need to fully charge an EV battery, but if I've depleted a 60kwh pack on a 50 mile overland trip, then 1.2kwh per day isn't going to get me to a real charging station anytime soon. If you could get 10x the power to the battery in a day then maybe...

Solar is great for powering a fridge, LED lights, water pump for your heat-exchanged shower, etc.

 

[Canyonero]

Yeah, I don't really know... 200's are not exactly known for their range either! With an EV, you could get to the nearest campground with hookups and charge to the degree necessary (30 or 50 amp service), and my only point with the EV vs. fossil fuel vehicle is that there are potentially more options for gaining range. Depending on how far you needed to go, enough solar panels could get you a few miles of range...

Someone else mentioned that EVs do their best work (range) at those low speeds, due to no aerodynamic drag. Also, regen braking and any mounted panels would add (albeit very nominal) benefits. So yeah, it's not ideal with what seems to be on the market now, but it's definitely interesting.

Did you check out that Bollinger B1 in the link earlier? That's a pretty sweet setup.

 

[linuxgod]

Did you check out that Bollinger B1 in the link earlier? That's a pretty sweet setup.

Yep. It's fugly. Also he says "I'm don't care about range because I'm going to use it on my farm". Bah!

Don't get me wrong, props to the guy for designing a sub-4k# vehicle for off road. He's got some interesting ideas, and it makes for a interesting concept vehicle. Can I get mine with an FJ40/45 body?

 

[Canyonero]

Not trying to start a "thing", but I don't know anyone who looks at a stock 200 and says "damn, that's hot." They look pretty mean built, but it would be hard for them to look more bland in stock form. For range, I think they are anticipating 200 miles on the B1.

 

[ryanCA]

Not trying to start a "thing", but I don't know anyone who looks at a stock 200 and says "damn, that's hot."

well said.


Thus the common “you paid $80k for. Highlander!!!!!” comments from the average American

 

[bloc]

Tesla, Volvo, and a few other manufacturers are trying to move battery tech into big rigs (18 wheelers) with the goal of being able to run a few hundred miles per day.

Hybrid tech is aimed at improving MPG for street use to boost CAFE numbers currently.

No idea how I forgot tesla is working on this... I saw the press release. Didn't know about volvo but it makes sense. But, now that I think about it.. I wonder how pulling a few passes like the I70 corridor through Colorado would impact total range.

Also, etorque is a long way from something like the Prius that gets around half of it's total hp from the battery. I was under the impression that something more than "mild hybrid" is needed for significant mileage gains. And when I say significant I'm referring to stuff like people wanting a cruiser to get 30 on the freeway.

 

[M1911]

Battery electric makes a lot of sense for local delivery trucks. Think about postal vans — they typically go less than 15 miles in a day and spend all night at the post office.

For your typical delivery truck, they might go 50-100 miles in a day, spend most of the day idling at the curb as the driver drops off goods at shops. They always go back to the depot at night.

That market — small to medium local delivery trucks — makes the most sense for a battery electric truck. The long haul semi-trailer truck market just doesn’t make sense for electric vehicles.

 

[TonyP]

Most solo long haul trucks are doing 700 miles per day. A team truck is nearly double that and can essentially be running at all times. Not going to happen with current technology and infrastructure. Local deliveries, for sure.