With the imminent arrival of electric vans and SUVs capable of towing considerable loads, a problem is on the horizon: the high energy consumption that exercise induces. To reduce this appreciable loss of autonomy, the American recreational vehicle giant Thor Industries is working on a very ingenious idea.
Posted at 5:45 p.m.
Backed by well-known German automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen, Thor is working on an electric propulsion system that can be bolted to the axle of a trailer. This engine essentially makes it possible to reduce the load by synchronizing with the speed of the vehicle providing the towing.
During an exercise carried out last July during a trip to the Alps, an Audi e-tron Sportback was able to travel 386 km by towing a trailer equipped with this technology. This is very impressive and even superior to the advanced range of the vehicle alone, according to the North American measurement protocol (351 km).
ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY ZF
Thor is working on an electric propulsion system that can be bolted to the axle of a trailer.
There are obviously a lot of variables missing to judge actual performance as well as viability. The added weight of the battery as well as the autonomy of the system itself are part of it. That said, it will be very interesting to follow the development of such technology that can combine electrification with camping.