Did a Test Tow with my 26' Camper/Trailer/Toy Hauler

[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

Today I got bored so I made a spreadsheet to compare EV vs ICE costs to tow (or not tow for that matter). The sheet uses my utility rate ($0.13/kWh), my local average gas price ($3/gal), and the average price of public level 3 charging here in my state ($0.45/kWh).

At 0.7 mi/kWh like I was getting in the video, I'd be at $0.64 per mile charging publicly, which would be the equivalent of driving at gas truck at 4 MPG. To achieve the same efficiency while towing my trailer as my ICE truck, I would need to stay at 1.5 mi/kWh with the Lightning which is double what I am actually seeing.

Just for fun, when NOT towing I'd be at $0.19/mile which is the equivalent of about 15 MPG with a gas truck. So in that case it's pretty much dead even between the two.

Now, if I charge only at home and I'm not towing (which is all I've done since getting the truck two months ago) I'm getting the equivalent of 60 MPG. So there's where the savings we all know comes into play.....but you can't take advantage of these rates when you're on a long trip somewhere.

So it's interesting to actually put numbers on it. Charging publicly the EV is more expensive to drive and also to tow with. Charging at home is the only way it makes sense. And if the truck is bought to serve mostly as a tow rig, EV makes no sense. Thankfully I'm currently at a place in life where I'm towing rarely. This may change in a few years when I retire.

Except this doesn't take into account charging in campgrounds. If you pay for a 50A site, you can easily charge for $0 per kWh. Even if your trailer only needs 30A, paying the difference usually means less than $10 per night. In fact, as a senior the 50A Corp of Engineers campsite seen in my picture only cost $10 per night total!

Even at a 20A site you can charge for $0 per kWh if you are parked for 4 days.

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