A Brief Explanation of Electric Vehicle Pusher Trailers for Cars and Bicycles

[Fledermaus]

There are four types of powered trailers associated with Electric Vehicles. These are all Range Extenders that help propel the EV beyond the range of one charge of its own batteries.

They are:

1. Pusher trailers that are basically the front end of a gasoline-powered, front wheel drive, automatic transmission vehicle that physically pushes the EV, instead of driving the electric motor on its batteries.

2. A trailer with a gasoline, diesel, propane or other powered generator on it that can partially or fully power the EV. This is also called a TRE, or ‘Towable Range Extender.’

3. A trailer with extra charged batteries hooked to the EV to supplement the batteries in the EV.

4. A trailer covered with solar panels to help supply extra electricity to the EV.

You will eventually see examples of all four types of EV trailers on this web page.
http://evmaine.org/html/ev_trailers.html



The micro trailer incorporates intelligent "BackTracker" steering which automatically maintains trailer-to-vehicle alignment during backing to avoid jack-knifing. There is little question that this 350 pound trailer functioned as planned - sustaining freeways speeds for as long as the 9.5 gallon tank had gasoline. Amazingly, even with all the conversion losses added up, the gas mileage of this combo is comparable or BETTER than the pure gasoline version of the same vehicle.
http://www.evnut.com/rav_longranger.htm

[rgbecker]

1. I like it! My design would be a single caster wheel with two attaching

points onto the rear of mother vehicle. This would allow ease of backing etc. Obviously, being able to attach and detach easily would be necessary so the trailer would only be used for the occasional longer trip. Alternatively, a unit that mounts into a trailer hitch receiver, its entire weight suspended might work for a heavier car that wouldn't be affected by that added weight.

These ideas will remove the fear of low range for electric vehicles.

[Fledermaus]

4. If or when personal transportation goes electric, I think you will see these but

They will have Ford, Yamaha, or GM logos on them. You might even be able to rent them from U-Hal when you want to go visit the family out of state.

[Name removed]

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[Nihil]

3. I like the idea ...

... but it still made me laugh to see a "Clean Air Vehicle" sticker
on something that simply towed the "Air Dirtying Device" behind it ...
:P

[wtmusic]

5. If battery tech continues to improve at its current pace

hopefully these will be unnecessary in five years. I've never quite understood "range anxiety" - people never seem to worry about running out of gas. You just need to pretend you have a smaller gas tank.