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Towing capacity is more than just the powertrain. The frame, suspension and brakes make a huge difference. 1500->2500 has a huge GVWR jump but only a small engi

Towing capacity is more than just the powertrain. The frame, suspension and brakes make a huge difference. 1500->2500 has a huge GVWR jump but only a small engine size increase. The extra weight from a batter pack is also going to eat into your tow capacity. You also can't rely on engine braking in cold-soaked weather or at full charge so you're still don't get to omit those things.

Robotbeat 9y ago
You most certainly can rely on engine braking in those conditions. In operation, the battery quickly warms up and can easily be set to warm before the car is started. It's also common to not fully charge a large-battery EV unless you need to. It helps battery life if you only charge to ~90% anyway (no one drives around with a fully-fueled conventional vehicle at all times).
- vvanders 9y ago
  I've owned a Model S for 2 years and 65k miles, I'm really familiar with regenerative braking. Let's say your charging for a long trip to 100% and live at to top of a large grade. In that case you will have to rely on your brakes 100%. I know this because I make a 300mi roundtrip that exactly matches that profile nearly every week and for the first 5 miles I have no regenerative braking. From a safety standard you have to match the braking system of an equally equiped ICE.
  - Robotbeat 9y ago
    If you live on the top of a tall hill, there's no reason to charge to 100% no matter how long your trip will be as you'll charge up to 100% on the way down. All you have to do from a safety perspective is ensure there's charge overhead. I own a Volt and there's a "mountain mode" setting for just this purpose, plus in the Volt there's always some headroom in the battery that is held in reserve by the system.
    - vvanders 9y ago
      > All you have to do from a safety perspective is ensure there's charge overhead. Cool, your volt can fallback on its ICE and always leave a reserve a Tesla/Leaf/Bolt just isn't the same. You're saying I need to plan my charge down to the watt? What happens when I hit 100% with a mile of hill left to go?
      - Robotbeat 9y ago
        What happens if your brakes get too hot with a conventional truck? It's not like this isn't a problem with a conventional vehicle.

Robotbeat 9y ago

You most certainly can rely on engine braking in those conditions. In operation, the battery quickly warms up and can easily be set to warm before the car is started. It's also common to not fully charge a large-battery EV unless you need to. It helps battery life if you only charge to ~90% anyway (no one drives around with a fully-fueled conventional vehicle at all times).

vvanders 9y ago
I've owned a Model S for 2 years and 65k miles, I'm really familiar with regenerative braking. Let's say your charging for a long trip to 100% and live at to top of a large grade. In that case you will have to rely on your brakes 100%. I know this because I make a 300mi roundtrip that exactly matches that profile nearly every week and for the first 5 miles I have no regenerative braking. From a safety standard you have to match the braking system of an equally equiped ICE.
- Robotbeat 9y ago
  If you live on the top of a tall hill, there's no reason to charge to 100% no matter how long your trip will be as you'll charge up to 100% on the way down. All you have to do from a safety perspective is ensure there's charge overhead. I own a Volt and there's a "mountain mode" setting for just this purpose, plus in the Volt there's always some headroom in the battery that is held in reserve by the system.
  - vvanders 9y ago
    > All you have to do from a safety perspective is ensure there's charge overhead. Cool, your volt can fallback on its ICE and always leave a reserve a Tesla/Leaf/Bolt just isn't the same. You're saying I need to plan my charge down to the watt? What happens when I hit 100% with a mile of hill left to go?
    - Robotbeat 9y ago
      What happens if your brakes get too hot with a conventional truck? It's not like this isn't a problem with a conventional vehicle.