[FRE0]

Most of us contemplating buying a Bolt would not often find range to be a problem, but occasionally it would be. Why not make rental range extender trailers available for the occasional long trip?

The range extender trailer could consist of a gasoline generator of perhaps 30 HP which would be sufficient and still be small and light. Before starting on a long trip, one could rent it from a Chevy dealer, attach it to the car, and plug it into the car. It could increase the number of people buying Chevy Bolts.

 

[lumpy12]

Yeah, or a trailer with a battery pack on the bottom, so you have another 250+ miles of range and you can carry stuff

 

[phil0909]

It could increase the number of people buying Chevy Bolts.

I bet it would decrease the number of people buying Bolts. Few people want a tiny car on a long trip to begin with. Of these, how many will want to deal with the hassles of a trailer? Far better to occasionally rent a gas car than a trailer for range extension.

The very idea would scare away more potential buyers than it would entice.

 

[Sean Nelson]

Most of us contemplating buying a Bolt would not often find range to be a problem, but occasionally it would be. Why not make rental range extender trailers available for the occasional long trip?

Chevy already makes a vehicle with an integrated range extender called the "Volt".

 

[Electro]

This wouldn't make sense to me at all. However, to extend the range... you could just get a trailer, put it on an ICE, and put the Bolt on that trailer. Range extended.

 

[sparkyps]

Rent a gas car at Hertz/Avis and make life easy. Last thing I want to see on the highway is an EV towing a generator.

 

[David M O'Rourke]

also - the car disables itself if it's "plugged in" while charging - I don't see this as a real possibility - it technically feasible but I don't see Chevy pursing it - and the Volt is the range extended version of the Bolt (as mentioned in this thread) - what I hear you asking for is:

the Volt drive train in the Bolt body package…

 

[David M O'Rourke]

just drive like you're hauling a trailer - speed is legally limited to 55 mph for cars w/trailers - boom range extended!!

 

[redpoint5]

I thought about this, and instead of trailering the genset, getting one light enough to mount directly on the receiver hitch.

However, it's way easier to swap cars with someone else who has an ICE. This is a non-issue for multi-car families with at least 1 ICE vehicle. Use the right tool for the job, and you aren't stuck with the compromises of using a sub-optimal tool.

 

[Paul Vachier]

You can also stash an inverter based portable gas/propane generator in your back. These are compact and don't make much noise. Another option is to carry a charger plug with a NEMA 14-50 240v adapter that will work in most RV/campground sockets: https://store.clippercreek.com/leve...APA32BCYAsS2Xw5OF61k0tmHaTvPaTGAaAid9EALw_wcB

 

[eops]

Rent a gas car at Hertz/Avis and make life easy. Last thing I want to see on the highway is an EV towing a generator.

Smartest thing said in my opinion. But not only for this reason but I find it hard to stomach being so far away from home when running into issues. Do that with a rental from some big rental company and you don't have nearly as much to worry about.

 

[gern_blanston]

Chevy already makes a vehicle with an integrated range extender called the "Volt".

THIS^^^

Rent a gas car at Hertz/Avis and make life easy. Last thing I want to see on the highway is an EV towing a generator.

and THIS^^^

 

[sharkvolt]

Just buy an extra Bolt battery pack and fasten it on the roof. Instant 120 kwh battery, with 480 mile range. (Well, maybe only 440 mile range, since the extra wind drag and weight would shorten range.)

 

[eops]

Sadly this is part of being an early adopter and we just have to play it best to our needs, these days we have a lot of options, unless you live far out from the city and suburbs. With Uber, Taxi's, Public Transit, Rentals, and even friends my self and many others have options.

Bolt is too nice for me to get a Volt

 

[gern_blanston]

Sadly this is part of being an early adopter and we just have to play it best to our needs...

...Bolt is too nice for me to get a Volt

Agree 100%. Adapt and be flexible.
Also, I drove several Volts, friends', dealership's, and was all set to buy one (I average 35 miles a day) but my wife made me test drive a Bolt, and after 2 miles I was sold

 

[beback]

Most of us contemplating buying a Bolt would not often find range to be a problem, but occasionally it would be. Why not make rental range extender trailers available for the occasional long trip?

The range extender trailer could consist of a gasoline generator of perhaps 30 HP which would be sufficient and still be small and light. Before starting on a long trip, one could rent it from a Chevy dealer, attach it to the car, and plug it into the car. It could increase the number of people buying Chevy Bolts.

Better off make REX like in BMW i3, that would be a Tesla killer machine !!:nerd:

 

[Cehjun]

Bolt owner's manual states plugging into generator power is a no-no. Page 246:
"Do not use portable or stationary
backup generating equipment to
charge the vehicle. This may
cause damage to the vehicle's
charging system. Only charge the
vehicle from utility supplied
power."


So much for plugging the trickle cord into a generator or an inverter, in an emergency ?

 

[DucRider]

Bolt owner's manual states plugging into generator power is a no-no. Page 246:
"Do not use portable or stationary
backup generating equipment to
charge the vehicle. This may
cause damage to the vehicle's
charging system. Only charge the
vehicle from utility supplied
power."


So much for plugging the trickle cord into a generator or an inverter, in an emergency ?

Nonsense.

Utility power is not necessarily "clean". This is a CYA statement.

One Fit EV owner that ice raced routinely charged using a generator.

 

[RonF]

I don't think it's a good idea. Worse come to worst, although I doubt it will ever happen, you can still have it towed to a nearest charger.

 

[DaV8or]

Bolt owner's manual states plugging into generator power is a no-no. Page 246:
"Do not use portable or stationary
backup generating equipment to
charge the vehicle. This may
cause damage to the vehicle's
charging system. Only charge the
vehicle from utility supplied
power."


So much for plugging the trickle cord into a generator or an inverter, in an emergency ?

I think plugging the Bolt into a modern inverter style generator such that Honda makes would be absolutely fine. The power coming out of those is more stable than line power. The main thing GM is worried about is a fluctuation in hertz and the inverter generators take care of that with a rock solid 60hz.

Older and cheaper portable generators use a centrifugal flywheel connected to a calibrated spring to control the throttle and thus the RPM and in theory the voltage and hertz. This system works OK for light bulbs and power tools, but it's terrible for computers and electronics. The modern generators let the engine do it's thing and run in an approximate RPM and the inverter electronics regulates the voltage and hertz to amazing accuracy.