Monster EVs - Design Flop?

[old man emu]

My son has a BYD Shark PHEV. I've been looking at some Australian-made videos on Youtube made by 4WD influencers, and most of what they present is positive. However there are a few things that have got me thinking that the design concept of the vehicle is wrong.

 

First, the vehicle is a 3-tonne dual cab. It is a tall vehicle, meaning that one has to climb up into it. Why so big?  It has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 3,500 kg and a payload of approximately 790 kg. That 750 kg paylod has to include the weight of five persons plus luggage and other junk. Don't forget that if the vehicle is used to tow a caravan or other type of trailer, the towball weight has to be taken from the 750 kg. I wonder how useful it would be as a tradie's ute. How much do a tradie's tools weigh? And how often do five tradies travel in the one vehicle?

 

Next I don't see it as an off-road vehicle. A lot of the videos show it being used off-raod, but I think this is a mistake. I think people might not understand that although each wheel of the vehicle is driven by its own motor, it does not, to my mind, equate to the traditional 4WD. While each motor delivers maximum torque immediately, off-road driving requires that the torque from an ICE or EV power plant should be controlled. I think that the correct application of an EV motor is through a gearbox if one wants to drive through mud, sand and climb mountains.

 

BYD has been honest in stating that the battery-only range is 100 km. That is sufficient for daily running around the local area. They have been honest to say that for longer distances, the 1.5 litre ICE engine must be used. This engine is basically an onborad electrical generator which uses about 7.5 litres/100 km at highway speed without towing. Towing a medium sized caravan or horse float can blow that out to about 20 litres/100km.  One advantage of teh BYD battery system is that it has outlest which can provide 240 volts. That would be useful for a tradie to run chargers for cordless tools.

 

Why do I think the design concept is wrong? Around my way, the most popular style of work vehicle is the Toyota Hillux in single or dual cab. The vehicle weighs about 2 tonnes with a load capacity of about 900 kg. This design suits the needs of farmers and tradies. It is available in 2 or 4WD configuration. 

 

Why couldn't a model with an EV power system be made to this design? Toyota has a Hilux EV, but it is a big monster like the Shark. 

 

[red750]

What I can't understand is why people drive those kinds of vehicle around the suburban area. They take up 1.5 car parking spaces, and anyone in a medium sized sedan parked beside them can't see past them when exiting their parking space.

 

 

[old man emu]

Dangerously exceeding load capacity.

 

Rig out one of these big vehcles, not matter what the power source is, and you are overweight, or need to be a fly-weight to drive them.

 

 

[facthunter]

Have you got a NEW Cause Celebre, Mark?  You can get artificial Spray on Mud for those Toorak Tractors.   Enhance your MANLY Image (and that of your Wife ) when she takes little Johnie to Private school. each day. The whole 1-2 Kms that doesn't even get the engine Warm. Nev

[onetrack]

Your social status is defined instantly by the vehicle you drive. So you buy the biggest 4WD dual cab you can, regardless of the economics or running costs or practicality of the vehicle. Plus, nearly all the owners of these vehicles are operating businesses and they're simply a big tax deduction, paid for by business income.

Add in the fact that when you're a business owner, able to quote an ABN, you can get "fleet" discounts, as well as factory-backed low interest rate financing (as low as 1%) - so the dealers have to knock back buyers with a stick.

 

The waiting list for nearly all 4WD's is huge, up to 6 to 12 months for some "high range" models. And the factories keep production at precise levels to ensure that the demand is just being met, and that there's no oversupply.

However, the Chinese are flooding the market with their new vehicles, so people who can't wait, simply go and buy a readily available Chinese car.

 

Edited 8 hours ago by onetrack

[old man emu]

You are pretty spot on about business owners. My son's business is fitting all those extra bits and pieces to 4WDs. 

 

Regarding the legality of driving an over-GVM vehicle, I can recall a case a few year ago in which a driver of a towing  and over-GVM vehicle/caravan combination was convicted of causing the death of a passenger when the unit crashed. 

[rgmwa]

Aren't they called ESV's - Emotional Support Vehicles?

[facthunter]

I've Never felt The Need to have One, but for the towing aspect. There's Plenty of IVECO's Pulling large Loads. The safest way to Pull things of any significant size is By having it articulated like a Lot of Horse floats are. Nev

[nomadpete]

Attempting to steer toward balance, I suggest that the Monster Trucks are being made in all formats - diesel, petrol and hybrid electric, by all manufacturers.

 

And the manufacturers are driven (accidental unfunny pun) by market forces. Which is a polite way of saying that style is created by the buyers vanity.

 

The issue of load carrying vs tare weight has been evolving for decades.

 

I was shocked when, back in late 90's, I discovered that a nice big 80 series Toyota Landcruiser could only carry 550kg.

 

Subtract 4 people and the sub fuel tank full of diesel, and you couldn't take more than a sandwich and change of undies with you, in a two ton truck.

[facthunter]

Ah. Theiss Bros and John Laws. Only rich Lawyers could afford the early Landcruisers. It was Patrols in WA. They all ruin your Back. BYD Shark rides beautifully. Watch the suspension next time you follow one. Nev