Convert to full EV later from harvester

[Xlargetophat]

I'm hearing rumors from catl. They have made big breakthroughs in lithium metal batteries. A gas generator won't last the testament of time, which goes against the heart of international harvester. People wanted a long lasting tough farm truck.

 

[cherrios111]

I'm not 100% a v6 to v8 analogy works in this case.

maybe it’s more like a 3.7 liter for an LS swap

 

[murraypetera]

How about just offering the 350 mile battery with the harvester as an option.

 

[Chuckles]

How about just offering the 350 mile battery with the harvester as an option.

I'm not sure the packaging works without eliminating the frunk. The gas tank has to go somewhere. Not to mention the added weight and cost.

 

[elvis buys]

Do you think we if we choose Harvester now, we'll be able to convert to full EV battery 5-10 years later and get rid of the generator?

No chance of any OEM conversion.
Might eventually be an aftermarket battery pack replacement/upgrade, but even that's unlikely due to the relatively low production volume.

For reference, at one point, a guy developed a Prius Li-ion upgrade (with increased capacity compared to the original OEM NiMH battery). It sold for around $3k, a little more than twice the price of "remanufactured" OEM NiMH pack. After the initial batch sold out, there were no more.

By the time the OEM battery needs to be replaced, the vehicle itself would be pretty much worn out.

By far the most common way the battery will be upgraded is by buying a new battery.. in a new vehicle.

 

[Xlargetophat]

In a new vehicle. That's against my religion. I'm a one truck guy

 

[TwoJacks]

That’s why you should only lease the harvester. Generators are a stop gap technology; only nobody knows exactly how long the gap will be. The rest of the world may be enjoying 1,000 mile and ten minute charging EV’s in five years while we could be stuck with outdated US made tech, but no matter what happens, generators are going to be obsolete at some point. At least with a lease you fix your depreciation cost up front and de-risk your buy.

 

[azerik]

Yes. For the conversion price being near a new EV you could keep your old and have the power train swapped out. Can it be done? Yes. Is it logical and financially sound? No.
We're coming up on the the era of disposable vehicles.
Years ago we used to replace the batteries in our phones when they got weak. Now the tech outpaces the sanity of replacing a battery and making your 3 year old phone last another 3 years. Car tech is almost there *in ~10 years. About the time any new battery tech *announcement* could actually make it's way to market.

 

[Mousehunter]

Always say my crystal ball is fuzzy. IF we end up in a world which has had considerable improvements in battery technology and price reduction - sure some companies will spring up that will do conversion. If you wanted a legacy Scout turned into and EV, I bet there are already companies that would do it (although most of us would be unimpressed with the results).

So if we are looking at converting a harvester-perhaps there will eventually develop companies that do battery upgrades for existing older EV's - and that would probably be the first place to start, out with the 60kwh old battery, in with the new amazing future tech battery that is still smaller than the old one - then put in whatever is necessary to get the new battery to link with the older vehicle. At that point, I guess there should be no reason not to pull the harvester since it is just cargo now-and maybe they could put something in it's place (like a second battery module for ludicrous range).
---
The real if is how long will it take for battery tech to get SO much better that it would be worth it - and then what shape are those old cars that would benefit from it be in anyway. But sure, they did it in Babylon 5...

 

[Xlargetophat]

I'm wondering if these engineers are this far thinking.. The competition Cybertruck looks to be long lasting nickel in the body. The original Harvester was made to do work on the farm.. not a flash in the pan, wheelin and dealin, turn over, disposable, program obsolescence, pile of junk in 20 years.

 

[smboogie]

Battery technology will improve however it's the infrastructure that will take some time. Having a 500 mile range (optimal conditions) is great but the ability to easily charge wherever you are is still years away. The ability to just hop in your EV and go, not even worrying about where you'll charge next is a ways away.

Also as someone in the Bay Area, while we have a good number of chargers available, there are still many places that have lines of people waiting to charge - and you just can't go to the next one b/c they aren't as convenient as gas stations, yet. Include into that many of the older homes don't have the service to add a L2 charger without considerable cost and we aren't there yet. I was looking to upgrade my home to a 200amp service but with new codes, costs, PGE etc., estimates are $12k-$15k and that just is not worth it to charge faster.

This is why I think hybrids are the current best solution for those that need a total, long distance hauler and don't want the issues of time spent charging/looking for a charger. I just picked up a CPO 22 BMW x5 45e PHEV and LOVE it. For my longer trips I never worried about range and yet drove 6+ hours down south and didn't need to fill up until my trip back 1 week later.

 

[Chavannigans]

My current daily has been a great vehicle. Its an ICE 4x4 SUV that offroads well and gets my family where it needs to go. It has a 0-60 time of 14 seconds with its V8 but doesnt feel slow and can charge up onramps like everyone else jumping on the interstate.

It has a fuel range of 280ish miles with the 31" tires that are currently on it.

Having 500 miles combined is still a massive upgrade compared to my current vehicle. The Scouts will also blow it away in terms of performance with 4.5 second 0-60 times and over 800ft-lbs on tap.

The Scouts will also charge pretty fast since they are futureproofing them with 800V architecture.

I will personally not feel like I am missing out on anything when new battery tech comes out.


FOMO is a thief of joy, and I will leave that to people who have to have the latest and greatest or end up feeling inadequate.