Davos: Youth Climate Reflections « It’s Getting Hot In Here

Many of my fellow activists have argued that we need to destroy the system in order to avert catastrophic climate change.

McDorman's heavy electric truck is allegedly kind to the environment, but devastates his wallet, has no air conditioning, doesn't work well in winter, burns through a lot of batteries, doesn't replace his gas-powered car, etc etc

He found all the components he needed from Electric Vehicles of America in New Hampshire, and then found a suitable vehicle with a manual transmission. The electrical components cost $13,000.

McDorman said he worked on the project with Todd Luckenbill of Martinsville, who was plant manager at the former Tire Energy Corp., which McDorman founded. They began converting the pickup from gas to electric in April. The process took 2-2 1/2 months, McDorman said, working on the project mainly in the evenings.
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Next was the rebuild. After installing lifters under the bed of the truck, three boxes were made and welded to the frame to hold 20 6-volt batteries, McDorman said. Each battery cost about $200, he added.

Because each battery weighs 72 pounds, “we added air shocks” in the rear of the vehicle, he said.

Four more 6-volt batteries are under the hood, along with one 12-volt battery to power the “lights, radio, heater and other standard 12-volt stuff,” he said.

A clutch is not needed, and the vehicle does not have air conditioning or power steering. Changing gears is as simple as letting off the accelerator, McDorman said.
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“It was so simple. A battery pack, controller and a motor. That’s it,” McDorman said.
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Now, the vehicle gets about 50 miles to each charge and from hauling golf clubs to groceries, it is the perfect vehicle for in-town driving, he said, adding that he has a gas-powered car he uses for longer trips.
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McDorman drives the truck almost daily, putting about 3,000 miles on it since July. He has seen only a $15 per month increase in his electric bill since he began charging the truck.

In addition, the pickup is virtually maintenance free, he said.

Brushes in the motor will need to be replaced every 80,000 miles and the “basic, lead batteries” likely will need to be replaced in five years, he said.

The batteries lose their charge quicker in cold weather and while he parks his truck in the garage, McDorman said he has heard that some people use electric blankets keep the batteries warm. The mileage also decreases somewhat in cold temperatures, from about 50 miles per charge in the summer to 30 miles per charge in winter, he said.

McDorman said there are improvements still to be made, such as reducing the truck’s weight.

The truck weighed in around 3,000 pounds with the regular combustion engine, but now tops the scales at about 4,500 pounds, he said.