In this week’s post
- Why are we still waiting on a PHEV pickup truck?
- What is this Chinese SUV?
- What is Operation Frodo?
The first question comes from a viewer who is sick of waiting for a PHEV pickup truck.
Q: (Via YouTube) I still don’t understand why others don’t follow Ford’s PHEV pickup truck example with the new Ranger.
Why are we waiting so long on a PHEV pickup truck when PHEV SUVs are all over the place? Does that make sense to you?
– Doug 2069
A: Hi there.
I covered the issues of engineering a PHEV pickup truck in the past, so I’ll summarize here and there. All of this is based on conversations I’ve had with engineers, off the record. Before I lay that out, I wanted to say that I agree with most people about the potential of PHEV pickup trucks.
The fact that pickup trucks are expected to be all things to all people in our market is obvious. Adding the extra utility of a longer range, and on-site power; well it can be a gamechanger. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as many think to build a truck as a PHEV.
In my estimation, there are three main issues automakers are having when they try to design PHEV pickup trucks.
Cost: You think pricing is out of control with the current batch of pickup trucks? Imagine adding the extra tech needed to make it competitive, efficient and utilitarian. In addition, the tech needed to make a good PHEV cost a lot of dough. Look at it this way: a Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) costs well over $10,000 more than an equivalent no-hybrid RAV4.
Weight and performance: I’ll use the Jeep Wrangler 4xe as an example. Weighing in at about 280-lbs, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s battery is just part of the heft equation. There’s an electric motor, and other components that adds a significant amount of weight to the vehicle. All of that weight takes away from towing and hauling performance. Not to mention how the truck will perform both on and off-road. It makes a difference.
Production and safety: Building any PHEV is labor-intensive. As I mentioned before, it is heavy, expensive and complicated to integrate an EV system. That means greater complexity with building it, and making sure it is still safe. Remember: batteries are heavy and can present a fire danger. In crash testing, it will be a lot of work to keep these trucks from caving-in with too much weight, or burning.
There is a LOT more to it, but these reasons alone show some of the hurdles automakers have to contend with. Even that Ford Ranger PHEV you’ve heard about, it’s still not ready for its U.S. debut.
– N
The next question comes from a viewer who keeps asking me about a Chinese SUV, and if it will ever come to North America.
Q: (Twitter@NathanAdlen and AskNathan@TFLcar.com) Nathan. More pictures of this Chinese SUV!
What is it! ????
Please tell me and is it coming to the market in Canada?
– QueenDavid7
A: Hi David.
This is the Changan CD701 concept. It is not slated to come to our market any time soon. It would take a Herculean effort to sell it on our shores, like a high-end partnership, or remarkable expense to build it here to avoid Chicken Tax.
Still, you picked a fascinating vehicle to obsess over. This is an all-electric SUV that has a massive retractable rear glass. This effectively makes into a midsize-ish pickup truck.
It’s like a mixture of a Chevrolet Avalanche and Cybertruck. Folding down the rear seats (after the glass hatch slides into the metal roof) you get over, what appears to be, six-feet of cargo space. In addition, it’s tiny. Measuring at 196.8-inches long, it’s about three inches shorter than the Ford Maverick.
While technical information isn’t available (power, range, price etc.) it looks like the company is serious about production.
As cool as this concept is, the likelihood of it landing on our shores is remote at best. I sincerely wish that some of our own EV companies followed a design path like the CD701. It’s pretty awesome.
We’ll see.
– N
The last question/statement comes from my kid. He wanted to know what “Operation Frodo” is – and why I’m participating.
Q: What is Operation Frodo?
Why Beagles?
– And, why are you traveling cross-country to participate?
A: Operation Frodo is a dog-rescue, cross-country adventure.
Long time TFL Studios’ friend Nik Miles set up this event to rescue Beagle puppies, bringing them back to the West Coast. Many of these Beagle puppies were meant for hunting, but (for one reason or another) are now in need of rescuing. Considering how many of these types of dogs are euthanized annually, helping feels right.
I am taking part by hauling a few pups from Omaha NE to Colorado Springs, CO. Then, it’s off to Salt Lake City, UT – where my part of the adventure ends.
The details are well laid out in (this) article by our friend Kristin VanderHey Shaw, from The Drive. In the past Nissan donated a Titan XD to Miles, which was converted into an animal rescue vehicle. That was kind of a one time thing. In order to make this something that can be repeated, more donations were needed: “Operation Frodo received donations to cover travel costs from Hyundai, Subaru, and fleet management company DriveShop. Other donations are coming in through Animal Rescue Rigs, and the leftover money will be used to pursue the next vehicle.” – The Drive
This time of year, I usually attempt to participate in a charity event quietly with little fanfare; however, Project Frodo needs more recognition. I hope it will inspire others to set up rescues for other animals in need.
Nissan, Ford Hyundai and Subaru are donating vehicles to haul these pups cross-country. I am one of many other automotive journalists who are involved. Each one exceptional for taking time to commit to a worthy cause.
Expect some social media posts, and a video!
- N
