My wife Ellie and I own a LandCruiser GX 2016 (LC200) model fitted out for towing our 2.6t single axle off-road Kedron.
We have travelled extensively in remote Australia using our LC200 and have found it a great experience.
We like our LC200, but we think it will be our last full petrol or diesel tow vehicle!
And that’s because we also own a Tesla model 3 … which is the best car we have ever driven.
Currently, local and short regional trips are all done with our Tesla EV.
We charge our Electric Vehicle nearly always on our home solar.
Happy days! Terry and Ellie with their Tesla Model 3.
The couple hope they’ll soon be using n EV to tow their van into the Outback.
It has over 400-kilometre range so even short regional trips often do not need charging till home. We can also charge on ordinary power points, destination chargers and rapid chargers.
Charging is not a big issue along the major east coast highways and will soon be available on all our major highways. We are looking forward to replacing our LC200 within five years with a Hybrid, Plug In Hybrid (PHEV) or a full Battery EV (BEV).
This would result in very much lower costs to travel. Our best short-term option would likely be a Hybrid PHEV, but BEVs are rapidly improving. Nissan (Patrol) and Mitsubishi both are in the process of releasing hybrid 4WD capable of towing 3.5t.
Terry replaces shockies on an off-road adventure.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Triton/Pajero Sport will be both BEV and PHEV. Mitsubishi have already released the PHEV Outlander that tows 1.6t with an efficient petrol engine and 20kWh battery with all electric drive train.
It looks like 2024 Y63 Nissan Patrol and LC300 Toyota LandCruiser will have Hybrid models. We will see BEV 4WD utilities available in Australia in the next 2-3 years with 3.5t towing, so BEV/PHEV 4WD will be appearing in caravan parks in the next couple of years!
A great financial opportunity for showgrounds, caravan parks and council campsites to provide charging for travellers as well as powered camp sites.
Overnight charging from destination chargers at 32A/240V will add more than 100kWh charge by morning and 15A about 50kWh.
We hope to keep travelling in remote Australia with our caravan for many more years and PHEV and BEV will make it easier and cheaper. No more getting contaminated diesel and paying over $2 per litre. Stop for the night charge up and move off next morning with near full charge.
Our EV has changed how we travel locally, and we’re looking forward to PHEV/BEV cheaper long-distance touring.
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