We finally all set in our new home. My wife's commute is basically 80 miles a day. I have the same commute but I WFH a lot. She's been eye'ing ev's for years now as her next dd. She wanted something a bit bigger than a car. She owns a business that has her traveling in the area a few times a month. She usually takes my Expedition to transport her stuff but she wants to get a small enclosed trailer wrap it with her branding and tow it with the EV. Which makes sense because of where we live (DC metro area) unloading the Expedition can be really hard or almost impossible in major areas at peak time. Also an ev satisfies my dislike of her stopping at gas stations to fill up. In the evenings I almost always check her car and fill it up myself because I don't like her going to gas stations alone.
She's already driven the Mach-E and liked it, also the Mercedes EQ-B and didn't like it. They're both too small for her needs.
She wants something about the size of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Then we came across a Rivian R1S in our neighborhood. She loves it and it's big enough for our kids, sports gear, her business equipment and products and can tow. Plus the range is better than I expected. But the price isnt great lol.
Yes she wants something new, she likes warranties and I like them for her too. We're both too busy to fiddle with dd's.
In the prefect world, we'd consolidate into the Expedition and commute together since we work in the same building but our job flexibility and hours are too different. And get an old transit for her business.
Any particular EV's in mind?
I came here to mention the Mach E. But see she's already deemed that not large enough.
I would say you're actually looking for large EVs if you want something as big as an R1S. About the only one larger is the Hummer. And big ones are going to be expensive, because they're less efficient and thus need more battery and that's where the cost is.
I would send her to check out the Korean twins: Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Might not be big enough but better to determine that in person than to have some rando on the internet decide it for you. The upcoming VW van may suit as well but I suspect it'll be at least a year before they start to hit the streets in the US.
I think the only one that maybe could fit is the Kia EV6 at these sizes. The Mach-E and Model Y I think are similar sizes. I take it she needs the height of the SUV?
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Maybe my idea of large is my Expedition and full size trucks. I really like the Ioniq but she thinks they're the ugliest thing on the road.
I do think the R1S is the best size given our family and what she has going on. The price is a shocker, but that's the way it things for now. I'm sure with time more manufacturers will fill in the space for EV.
I don't know about the van but I'm sure any new purchase will take at least a year.
STM317
PowerDork
1/12/23 11:02 a.m.
What about a PHEV?
The Aviator Grand Touring tows 5600lbs
The Grand Cherokee 4Xe tows 6000lbs
84FSP
UberDork
1/12/23 11:07 a.m.
I went EV a few years ago and likely won't go back for my daily/work travel vehicles. With that said, towing is EV's achilles heel. It isn't the weight, it's just how massively sensitive they are to aerodynamics. Tucking behind a semi gets me the equivalent of 10% efficiency improvement as an example.
GM and Ford will both be launching SUV EV's and Hybrids later this year. They'll be pretty good based on what I'm doing with them.
Just a thought that the ish ought to fit inside vs a trailer.
The Tesla Model X can tow 5000.
I'm not sure I'd point anyone towards a Model X. It's an odd duck, basically hand built with problematic doors. It continues in production but it's not Tesla's best.
The upcoming VW is the id.Buzz: https://www.vw.com/en/models/id-buzz.html
I don't think EVs are any more sensitive to aero than ICE vehicles, we're just more aware of it because it takes longer to replenish expended energy. I once did an experiment with a friend on a long interstate drive with two identical Miatas. He basically bump drafted me for a tank of gas and used something like 10% less fuel than I did.
If considering the PHEV direction, one important question to answer is whether she can charge at work.
I'm doing a commute of just over 50 miles with an X5 PHEV that I can do entirely electric charging at work as long as it's above freezing.
In reply to Karacticus :
No charging at work. Because we work in the big 5 sided building. But def have a good charging infrastructure everywhere but work.
In reply to Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) :
The X quality doesn't seem to be in par with the rest of their vehicles. We'll look into the Y though.
Maybe the Blazer EV that is coming out this summer?
Would the trailer be more difficult to unload than the Expedition? DC traffic is brutal enough, I can't imagine towing a trailer in that area.
186″ L x 74″ W x 64″ H MACH E
187″ L x 76″ W x 64″ H TESLA Y
Mach E is eliminited becuase its too small, but Tesla Y is being considered? As they say, life is all about the inches.... I suppose.
In reply to mr2s2000elise :
I had no idea they were the same size tbh
In reply to moxnix :
I clearly need to brush up on upcoming EV's. That looks like a great option.
OHSCrifle said:
Wrangler 4xe?
https://www.jeep.com/wrangler/wrangler-4xe.html
Funny Wranglers used to be her dream vehicle but then she spent time in a 2019 Rubicon and hated everything about it 
The Y is probably a bit small for your wife's needs, but I have a friend whose job consists of visiting bicycle shops everywhere from San Jose to the Oregon border to Reno. He drives a Y and completely loves it. Calls it his sanctuary. My opinion is that it's a bit neutered compared to the dual motor model 3 that I've driven, but definitely more roomy.
dps214
Dork
1/12/23 11:45 p.m.
dj06482 (Forum Supporter) said:
Would the trailer be more difficult to unload than the Expedition? DC traffic is brutal enough, I can't imagine towing a trailer in that area.
Yeah I guess I'm missing something but I'm having trouble imagining that a trailer that's manageable to tow and park around dc on a regular basis isn't small enough that it could be towed by just about anything.
I happened to have the opportunity to test drive a model y recently. I pretty much liked it but it wouldn't be my choice for commuting around a city with beat up roads.
In reply to dps214 :
Because you can disconnect the trailer and leave it at the event or location and find parking elsewhere. Parking the Expedition in some of these locations has created excessive logistics. At one event she setup and had to park the Expedition far enough away where she had to walk 20 mins to get back. Because street parking was too small or garages were too tight. We've noticed many people take a small trailer and leave it or drive small cargo vehicles like the transit connect. We thought the Mach E would be suitable but she didn't like the size, her requirements her car her money, not mine lol.
Also, I'm getting rid of my Expedition and getting an used F250 for my hauling while dd'ing a hybrid Maverick (if I even want it by the time it's delivered). She wants an ev to replace her Accord and she wants one that fits ALL her needs, not just commuting and pulling a trailer, but kids, sports carrying her martial; hence these requirements.
Hopefully, this explains enough where no further explanation is needed.
That's a narrow size window you're looking at. An R1S is 9" shorter than an Expedition, will that be enough smaller to make the difference?
Tesla just dropped their prices, a Model Y Long Range just dropped by $13k (!) and should be eligible for the new tax credit.
