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Old 05-19-2014, 01:20 PM   #1
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Electric Toads

As time goes on, we are seeing more and more attention going towards electric vehicles. We have hybrids of course but as time goes on, we are seeing more and more just pure electrics. Has anybody looked into the viability of using such as vehicle as a toad?

It seems in many ways that it could be ideal. Usually the toad helps facilitate your stay at wherever. Day trips, trips to the store or what have you. Whats more, you have a nice power pedestal that you can plug your vehicle into. No need for gas. It wouldn't be for every one or situation but can it be done? One might even think it could be possible for it to charge while being towed.

Would be interested in hearing peoples thoughts, experiences.
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Old 05-19-2014, 01:47 PM   #2
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The electric car as a towed might be a great choice for many...the trade off is charging options. I am currently installing a charge station at my home for the Nissan Leaf and it would not make a decent toad....too heavy. Am buying a gas powered Elio. Elio Motors: Ultra High Mileage Vehicle This will go behind my rig a bit better. It is lighter and easy on fuel. As soon as my order is able to be processed and I have a firm delivery date I am thinking that I can head to LA and gather it.
The SMART Electric....might be a nice toad....much lighter than the Leaf.
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Old 05-19-2014, 01:50 PM   #3
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Sorry, I don't care what kind of mileage an Elio gets, that thing is ugly.
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Old 05-19-2014, 01:55 PM   #4
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Mark...you appear to live in Louisville KY.... If so...you might see me in my ugly car getting that nice high fuel economy as I motor to work each day from the Gene Snyder to downtown on 64. Parked next to the SMART I use as a daily driver...is my Porsche 968. It looks really great....but it sux gas like a pick up truck and does not get to hit the road every morning like that ugly SMART. 45MPG beat 18MPG any day...
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Old 05-19-2014, 01:57 PM   #5
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Yep, I'm in Louisville. Good gas mileage is great if that's what you're into, but I prefer a bit more comfort and fun, so I've got a Mustang convertible. I get 24 mpg with that and you can't measure the SPG (smiles per gallon)

One of the guys I work with has a Smart and it's just too small for my liking. You must be a brave man to drive that on the interstates around Louisville with all the nut jobs I meet most mornings.

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Mark...you appear to live in Louisville KY.... If so...you might see me in my ugly car getting that nice high fuel economy as I motor to work each day from the Gene Snyder to downtown on 64. Parked next to the SMART I use as a daily driver...is my Porsche 968. It looks really great....but it sux gas like a pick up truck and does not get to hit the road every morning like that ugly SMART. 45MPG beat 18MPG any day...
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Old 05-19-2014, 02:02 PM   #6
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The info I have gathered so far states the Nissan Leaf is NOT flat towable, and
Really shouldn't be put on a dolly either.
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Old 05-19-2014, 02:09 PM   #7
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I must admit that I have a love hate relationship with the SMART...but I am getting ready to place a LEAF on the road and it will make the round trip from Mt Washington and back in a bit more comfort than the SMART (which rides worse than my Goldwing) but that fuel economy is paramount my smiles. The Leaf is ugly too...Jefferson Cty just has a death grip on fuel gouging...I am not going to give my $ away without a fight. SMART goes back to wife...I get LEAF for daily driver....ELIO will replace SMART when it is finally delivered ....Porsche remains in garage and comes out on weekends when I feel fancy. Goldwing is in parking lot today (cold ride in this morning)
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Old 05-19-2014, 02:11 PM   #8
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Gotcha on the cold ride, I had to put my top up today. I live in North Bullitt, what puts you on I-64 all the way out in Mount Washington? I'd figure you be like 90% of the other Mount Washingter's (is that a word) and travel Bell's Mill to I-65, right by my house

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I must admit that I have a love hate relationship with the SMART...but I am getting ready to place a LEAF on the road and it will make the round trip from Mt Washington and back in a bit more comfort than the SMART (which rides worse than my Goldwing) but that fuel economy is paramount my smiles. The Leaf is ugly too...Jefferson Cty just has a death grip on fuel gouging...I am not going to give my $ away without a fight. SMART goes back to wife...I get LEAF for daily driver....ELIO will replace SMART when it is finally delivered ....Porsche remains in garage and comes out on weekends when I feel fancy. Goldwing is in parking lot today (cold ride in this morning)
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Old 05-19-2014, 02:22 PM   #9
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If you know the Routt Rd area....you might gather it is easier for my travel to hit Taylorsville Rd....then I64...
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Old 05-19-2014, 02:23 PM   #10
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Indeed I do. I spent a lot of time at Cedar Ridge when I was a kid.

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If you know the Routt Rd area....you might gather it is easier for my travel to hit Taylorsville Rd....then I64...
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Old 05-19-2014, 02:26 PM   #11
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Head up Routt until it touches Dawson Hill Rd and you are in my neck of the woods...I get a nice shot into 9th St exit off I64 and I work at TARC on Broadway
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Old 05-22-2014, 12:19 AM   #12
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We have a Ford C-Max Energi which is a plug in hybrid. It is the best of both worlds. We can go 18-22 miles on pure electric before it go into gas. We have towed it a few times where we only had to go 5-10 miles to a town and still had electric juice left when we got back to the site. We purchased a 30 amp wart so we can plug the car into it at the rv site. It only takes maybe 3 hours to charge it from empty. At home we have a 240 amp box installed and it takes 2 hours to completely recharge from empty. It gets good gas mileage as well. A perfect car in my opinion.....
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Old 05-22-2014, 12:38 AM   #13
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Quote:
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We have a Ford C-Max Energi which is a plug in hybrid. It is the best of both worlds. We can go 18-22 miles on pure electric before it go into gas. We have towed it a few times where we only had to go 5-10 miles to a town and still had electric juice left when we got back to the site. We purchased a 30 amp wart so we can plug the car into it at the rv site. It only takes maybe 3 hours to charge it from empty. At home we have a 240 amp box installed and it takes 2 hours to completely recharge from empty. It gets good gas mileage as well. A perfect car in my opinion.....
A plug in hybrid seems to make great sense, as you comment the best of both worlds. Such a car is high on my list for a next vehicle.
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Old 05-23-2014, 09:54 PM   #14
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I think electric cars might work as a toad if they could charge while being towed. In the meantime, I like my diesel VW, at a good 50 might on the highway.
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