[HPenny]

2017 Bolt driver here… have put 92K miles on him so far. I Had to make a trip today about 100 miles each way so I thought no problem, I’ve done it many times before. I very rarely have to charge anywhere other than my garage so I’m not super aware of charger locations and there just aren’t many in ohio. Had a nice tailwind going east but the return trip proved the opposite as todays cold wind gusts depleted a lot more range than I expected even though I was only going about 65. I had never tried drafting before due to most truckers around here being annoyed by Evs … but there was a semi going my speed steady in the right lane so I hooked on pretty close for about 50 miles. I was amazed by how much difference it made. I wouldn’t have done this in heavy traffic or if there were a lot of speed or lane changes going on. I just wonder what the driver would have been thinking 🤔

 

[krkobel]

I've done a fair bit of empirical research on drafting Semi-trailers at highway speeds with our Bolts. One thing that I've observed is that the configuration of the Semi has a big impact. Trailers optimized for fuel efficiency offer significantly improved drafting benefits (2-3x) for Bolts since the Bolt sits so low relative to the trailer. See the air dam located between the front and rear trailer wheels in the picture below. On my drives between DFW and Austin, probably half of Semis are configured this way. When a semi is configured this way, you don't even have to be ridiculously close to the trailer to receive significant benefits. I set the collision warning to the closest setting and ensure that it stays green. This became much easier once we got our 22 EUV with Adaptive Cruise Control. I'll never buy another car w/o ACC and the EUV is the only car we'll use for extensive highway drives.

 

[Triggerhappy007]

I just wonder what the driver would have been thinking 🤔

They're used to this. People have been drafting behind them for a long time. I don't do this anymore because of the debris that can hit your vehicle when you're behind them.

 

[liresong]

…...there was a semi going my speed steady in the right lane so I hooked on pretty close for about 50 miles. I was amazed by how much difference it made.

With my motorcycle, I liked to explore the aerodynamics behind semis. Even way back from semis, I could feel the air was fairly smooth & started easing off the cycle throttle. Moving the cycle closer, I could feel the alternating turbulent but predictable eddying gusts coming off the left & right sides of the semi-trailer……& decreased throttle more. Moving closer yet, the alternating gusts got stronger. Initially, it was disconcerting. But then I got in the rhythm of the alternations. Instead of counter-steering AGAINST the alternating right & left gusts, I just kept the cycle steering neutral. The alternating gusts rocked the cycle alternatively, tilting the cycle left, but then would straighten the cycle & then tilt the cycle right. Of course, I had to back off the throttle considerably. Moving even closer (yeah, I’m talkin’ way way too close), the gusting quit & you were in a vacuum, with the throttle “completely off”. Without putting the brakes on, the trailer vacuum would suck the cycle right into the back of the trailer.
Yes, I discovered dead corpses got the highest fuel savings. But the fuel savings were lost in burial fees. 🤡💀☠

 

[2019EVLT]

I used to drive an air-cooled VW. I drafted a semi for an hour or so on a long trip from Texas to Alabama, and the engine seized up. I ended up rebuilding the engine. Apparently insufficient air mass to cool the engine adequately. Or maybe just bad luck?

 

[Mark F]

I've had semi drivers brake when I have gotten in place to draft. I don't want to annoy anyone so I do it much anymore. I wish there was a signal that a trailer would display like a small green light or something that indicated that it was okay to draft. Maybe a Venmo account displayed to donate for the service. I'm only kind of kidding ;-). I had a Saab 99 when I was a kid and remember drafting trailers and getting 50-60 MPG.

 

[gallen]

Yes, if you're short on electrons to make it home, drafting can make a substantial difference. There are safety concerns of course, not to mention getting something kicked up that messes up your windshield. I don't do it very often, but it's good to know as an option when truly needed to avoid being stuck w/ a dead battery. As for them minding it, unless they have a rear camera, they probably can't see you if you get close enough .............. "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you."

 

[Electric Personality]

Cost is paint chips and windshield cracks/chips.

 

[shrox]

I was expecting a thread on drawing plans.

 

[jmcbrew]

I had never tried drafting before due to most truckers around here being annoyed by Evs …

What makes you say this?

 

[Electric Personality]

Having interfaced with truckers from fedex for a couple decades, they would talk about crop dusting. That is where they would wander off to the side of the road to try and kick up some pebbles and dust for the drafters.

 

[jefro]

Depending on how close you actually were it could be, dangerous and illegal.
Certainly your windshield and front paint took the brunt of the dust and debris. Your bolt is unlikely to survive a flying recap tire. If you are lucky you might have the chance to report an incident on Waze before somebody runs into you.
Odds are not in your favor.

 

[atlsrt44]

Depending on how close you actually were it could be, dangerous and illegal.
Certainly your windshield and front paint took the brunt of the dust and debris. Your bolt is unlikely to survive a flying recap tire. If you are lucky you might have the chance to report an incident on Waze before somebody runs into you.
Odds are not in your favor.

That was what i was going to say. If that trucker sees a retread in the road hes going to take it between the tires and you are going to poo your pants.