Is an EV Gladiator Better Off-Road Than a Traditional Gas Jeep - Let's Find Out! [TFL]

[Badunit]

How to put out an EV fire (spoiler alert: don't, you wait for it to burn out): https://www.firerescue1.com/electri...where-the-waiting-game-wins-f934UedqIpVqc1k2/

If EVs were so great, the government wouldn't have to cajole people into buying them using subsidies and tax credits. Most people weigh the pros and cons and are finding more cons than pros for what they need out of a vehicle. And at this point in time it appears that gas powered cars are still more environmentally friendly than EVs when you look at the entire life cycle, though that is certainly a debatable point and the answer depends on which side of the argument you are on.

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[Dickster]

You might want to look into getting more informed information on these examples and how they relate to vehicle battery technology. I know you've got the hate in your heart for EVs and that's driving you to make these statements, but really you might want to become better informed about the situation. Casual connections like this, especially when the connections asserted aren't actually there (such as between the Note lineup of phones and electric cars), are not productive at all.

I am pretty informed with EVs and based my own opinions on them. I don't go with the hype and look at real world use. Besides looking Hippie cool or a daily commuter that's all they are good for at the moment.They do not perform in high heat or cold weather, range varies too much based on load, towing capacity is great to get across the parking lot. The batteries get memory when not properly maintained and the cost to replace you might as well buy a new car. To get any range for a semi the batteries weigh so much by time you hook up to a trailer you will exceed all bridges in the USA. The way lithium is mined is horrible and the amount of lithium we have will be gone in 5 years. So tell me again how I need to do more research? EV as of right now needs to stay with cars, they are great for in town commuting and that is it. UNTIL they come out newer battery technology they will just be a gimmick.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I am waiting for someone to take a EV off road, roll it, damage the battery and start a forest fire. It will be epic and EVs will be banned off road.

Yeah, right. Have you seen the shielding on these things? We own a JLU 4xe and I have absolutely no fear of fire or battery damage. You'll rip other stuff to shreds first.
The risks for gas vehicles is far far higher. People talk of EV fires because it's the thing to talk about and make jokes about - but the fact is, in your garage, an EV is safer, and on the road, they are safer - and off-road? Look under one.

I

im just waiting to see an EV off-road….

Not an "EV" but check out the videos of the 4xe off-road running full electric power. Silent crawlers with crazy torque taking things on without hesitation. Hit up on an obstacle like a log or rock - no big deal, climb right over.

As far as "damaging the batteries" - you'll be ripping up the t-case, transmission and driveshaft first. Ask me about trying to run wiring for the power steps under a 4xe. Pain in the ass. Shields and cross bars everywhere.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

They do not perform in high heat or cold weather,

Better change that to "extreme extended cold weather" as we've got a 4xe in Iowa, and it's been fine. In fact, it's pretty much the same "battery only" range regardless of temperatures. In Iowa, it's been in the 0 degree range and in the upper 90s with no differences in range. Very consistent.
Extended sub-0 or above 100 temps, it's not so great.

 

[Oilburner]

If you watch the video, they say it has a 100kw battery. The Ford 'Lightning' EV pickup gets about 2 miles per kw. on the highway. So ~200 mile range on the Gladiator conversion. (assuming similar efficiency) *edited*

 

[redriderjf87]

How to put out an EV fire (spoiler alert: don't, you wait for it to burn out): https://www.firerescue1.com/electri...where-the-waiting-game-wins-f934UedqIpVqc1k2/

Exactly

 

[ShrimpHappens]

If EVs were so great, the government wouldn't have to cajole people into buying them using subsidies and tax credits.

There's some truth to that, but I think most people's hesitations aren't about the EV itself but the limitations of charging (charger availability and charging time).

 

[bleda2002]

If you watch the video, they say it has a 100kw battery. The Ford 'Lightning' EV pickup gets about 2 miles per kw. So ~50 mile range on the Gladiator conversion, or 25 miles out, 25 miles back on the road. Hard to make a case w/ that given what the cost for the conversion would be.
Interesting study, however.

Dont you mean 200 mile range? 2 * 100 or is the gladiator getting 1/4 the efficiency of a ford lightning?

 

[Dickster]

Better change that to "extreme extended cold weather" as we've got a 4xe in Iowa, and it's been fine. In fact, it's pretty much the same "battery only" range regardless of temperatures. In Iowa, it's been in the 0 degree range and in the upper 90s with no differences in range. Very consistent.
Extended sub-0 or above 100 temps, it's not so great.

Yeah don't care, EV does not work for everyone. Most small towns in oregon do not have EV charging stations. You have to drive a bit and the cost of repairs on charge stations are another cost people don't want. To take a EV off road hear you would want to trailer it.... the distance you need to travel and length of the trails you would be out of juice. EV jeeps are just a way for them to get more sale and keep the hippies happy with jeep. The real world reason people buy jeeps will just get people stranded in the woods with a EV. Oh and batteries catching fire is a real thing, reason your home owners insurance will go up if they know you park a EV inside with a charge station.

 

[Oilburner]

Dont you mean 200 mile range? 2 * 100 or is the gladiator getting 1/4 the efficiency of a ford lightning?

You are Right - I got my figures backwards. Verified 2 miles per kw so it would be 200 miles on that JT. I will edit the original post.

 

[ShrimpHappens]

And I'd also like to comment that I think all y'all are all correct.

As @redriderjf87 and @Badunit say, it is well documented with Teslas that EV fires are extremely hard to put out (and can reignite themselves weeks later). Obviously if something like that happened in a remote wilderness area, that could be a freaking disaster.

However, I agree with @sharpsicle and @ShadowsPapa that the potential of a battery fire in a low-speed offroading situation is likely no more than going out there with 20 gallons of gas beneath the vehicle (and then 10 more in jerry cans on the back). Not every Tesla crash every time results in an inextinguishable inferno. And I'd also like to think that Stellantis/Jeep could do a better job of preventing this than Elon.

 

[AmosMoses]

I think it's a little short sighted to get excited about offroading EV's in the long term. Battery technology will progress and get better but regulation will not be kind to offroading type vehicles.

 

[Jakeyou]

Whether you are a fan or not, electric vehicles are here to stay...

Consider a few arguments here are exactly what happened at the debut of gasoline engines. There were concerns about how far apart fuel stations were, fire danger, noise, and reliability issues. The list goes on, and you can map them to the concerns here about EVs...

I'm a fan of EVs and have owned two. I also recognize the limitations and we're still on the steep curve of adoption. Pioneers (early adopters pay "pioneer tax" but get a voice in the direction) shape the future and the big OEMs are cautious for a variety of reasons already pointed out.

Without getting into the politics and regulations, it will come sooner than most think/want. I personally can't wait, and living off-grid, it suits me perfectly. I have already made the switch in other places (electric mower, and related tools/appliances).

There is room for both to coexist for a very long time. Don't worry, you can keep your gasser for the rest of your life without much concern.

Even with rapid EV growth, roughly 94% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year had a gas tank in the back and a combustion engine up front. This is the EV Decade, but the market is a long way from becoming an EV market.

 

[bleda2002]

Yeah don't care, EV does not work for me. Most small towns in oregon where I live do not have EV charging stations. You have to drive a bit and the cost of repairs on charge stations are another cost I assume people don't want. For me to take a EV off road hear I would want to trailer it.... the distance I need to travel and length of the trails I would be out of juice. EV jeeps are just a way for them to get more sale and keep the hippies happy with jeep. The reason I buy jeeps will just get me stranded in the woods with a EV. Oh and batteries catching fire is a real thing, reason your home owners insurance will go up if they know you park a EV inside with a charge station.

I fixed it for you to show that it doesnt work for you. Meanwhile, for a much larger portion of the population, it would work just fine even for offroading.

My typical offroading trip is a 60 mile trip with the camper, hook up (can charge off the nema 14-50 right at the campsite), next day do about 50 miles of trails, return to camp, camp out, do some more trips here or there out of base camp, then come home. I'd actually have less range anxiety as i'm filling up every night off the pole compared to gas when i have to make sure I fill up at the highway exit and fill up on the entryway home.

Also for the fires, the issue isnt lithium, its the electrolyte. A whole bunch of solid state and semi-solid state batteries are coming online in the next couple years that will be substantially less prone to fire since the electrolyte is non-flammable.

 

[Dickster]

Whether you are a fan or not, electric vehicles are here to stay...

Consider a few arguments here are exactly what happened at the debut of gasoline engines. There were concerns about how far apart fuel stations were, fire danger, noise, and reliability issues. The list goes on, and you can map them to the concerns here about EVs...

I'm a fan of EVs and have owned two. I also recognize the limitations and we're still on the steep curve of adoption. Pioneers (early adopters pay "pioneer tax" but get a voice in the direction) shape the future and the big OEMs are cautious for a variety of reasons already pointed out.

Without getting into the politics and regulations, it will come sooner than most think/want. I personally can't wait, and living off-grid, it suits me perfectly. I have already made the switch in other places (electric mower, and related tools/appliances).

There is room for both to coexist for a very long time. Don't worry, you can keep your gasser for the rest of your life without much concern.

Not even close. Our power grid can't even handle extra a/c units in the summer without rolling black outs. There was a shipping company looking to switch to EV for local deliveries. They called the local power company and found out the power they need was denied as it was 3 Time the power use on the whole grid already. Just look trains electric motors it's a great example on how much energy is spent to power electric motors.

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