That calculated out, given the E-Tron’s former 83.6-kwh usable range, to less than 110 miles per full charge-a nearly 50% reduction from the E-Tron’s expected EPA range.
Over 504 miles in 35-degree weather, Audi averaged just 1.3 miles per kilowatt hour. In February 2020 it towed a 4,000-pound trailer containing a GM EV1-the first modern electric car-from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Austin, Texas, for an EV event. It’s designed to be towed with a relatively low amount of power from the tow vehicle-adding more regen down hills to maintain that-and it detects and compensates for crosswinds or corners.ĭethleffs says that the E.Home Caravan is “a future-proof solution” and would be good for internal combustion models as well, as it would allow models with less powerful engines to tow a greater load.Īnother benefit is a smartphone app-based parking system that helps guide the trailer precisely into its spot, more easily than backing in with the tow vehicle.Īudi deserves props for highlighting the issue in a straightforward way. The most complex piece of kit in the setup might well be the active towing load feature for the Trailer Mobility Control unit, which adds only enough thrust from the trailer to maintain a constant towing load on the tow bar. Disc brakes are hydraulically actuated and blended. When the vehicle is slowing, the motors provide gentle regenerative braking and feed energy back into the battery pack. Each motor also makes a maximum 66 lb-ft of torque, but with the 16:1 reduction ratio it amounts to 1,062 lb-ft at the wheels. The drive unit for the trailer, developed by ZF, has two offset electric motors making 30 kw of continuous power (40 hp) each, or a max of 90 kw (121 hp) each.
To compare, the E-Tron SUV’s battery pack amounts to 1,573 pounds. It plans to cut the weight to about 880 pounds in the forthcoming production version.
Prototype 3 confirmed plus#
The batteries plus drive system add up to about 1,320 pounds to the weight of the trailer, and although the supplier didn’t provide a total, it’s well within the E-Tron’s rated 4,000 pounds. There’s a protective honeycomb crash structure at the rear, and the company says that it’s completed various simulations for stability and reliability. The batteries are contained within an inner frame, while an outer frame houses the inverter, charging unit, and control unit. It can be charged at up to 7.2 kw on AC, and it’s compatible with 50-kw DC fast-charging. The trailer can also provide power out for other camping needs, or support solar cells on the roof. The E.Home Caravan prototype has two battery modules, each with about 40 kwh, with one in front of the axle and the other behind it. Dethleffs E.Home Caravan electric camping trailer prototypeĪfter pushing against a strong headwind for part of the trip, the E-Tron and trailer reached the destination with 82 kwh used by the E-Tron and 74 kwh used by the trailer.
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