Electric Audi E-Tron Towing - You Won't Believe How Much Range We Lost!

What's it like to tow with an electric car? We find out with the 2019 Audi E-Tron 55 Quattro. Will it be so inefficient that you won't make it anywhere or will it still have plenty of range? We find out!
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[@jamesmaddeaux4304]

Great vid! How often will you be at the track. I love One Lap!

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

ICE cars are much less impacted by the odds - because they are much less efficient. If you tow or freezing temperatures (below 70%) ... you lose this efficiency. Such a great car the Etron.

[@davidsommen1324]

Exactly, because ICE cars are already that inefficient, the difference between towing and not is small in comparison, most of the energy from the fuel is converted to heat anyway.

[@segredosdotiosam9989]

@@davidsommen1324 MOST OF THE ENERGY?

[@davidsommen1324]

@@segredosdotiosam9989 That's right. Up to more than 70% of the energy (depending on the engine of course) is converted to heat instead of kinetic energy, in an ICE car. Unbelievably wasteful and inefficient technology.

[@segredosdotiosam9989]

@@davidsommen1324 Did not know that.. wow

[@davidsommen1324]

@@segredosdotiosam9989 Yes, it's mindblowing, but it's true. Remember that a litre of gasoline contains almost 9kWh of energy, so a tank filled with 70litres of gasoline is equivalent to a battery with 630kWh of capacity. In an electric car that could give you a range of about 4500km/2800 miles or so.

[@fullyelectric]

Kyle, there is a trailer mode use it next time ... anyways once again awesome 👏 content, we wanted to know how well our eTron would tow very heavy stuff, Thanks for answering a question we did not even ask anyone yet lol for now we plan on towing bikes around .. but will do real heavy stuff later on.. Great content Kyle thanks and more please! again trailer mode for the win next time..

[@AllElectricFamily]

Awesome video! Cool to see more EV's towing. It is tough to tow long distance with any EV and I agree I don't see how a Rivian or Cybertruck is going to change alot of people minds that don't enjoy charging like us.

[@kens97sto171]

As Kyle mentioned the efficiency loss mostly has to do with aerodynamics. In this particular case acar dolly might have been the better choice, since the smart is rear wheel drive they would have had to have left the front wheels on the ground , that can sometimes be an issue with clearance on the front bumper skirts, it depends on the vehicle. it would have put the smart car in the air envelope behind the e-tron. If you are going to be renting a trailer to use see if you can find one that has stowable ramps. having those ramps sticking up vertically in the air is a serious air trap. They also tend to make the ass of the trailer waggle a little bit sometimes if you get a cross wind, But a lot of light duty trailers are set up exactly like this one is.

[@ernestbeggle1981]

1.2 miles/kWh...assuming 33.7 kWh per gallon of gas, that's about 40 mpge? Very efficient by ICE standards.

[@risingdough8078]

Maybe I'm missing something, but at $.27/kw and 1.2 miles/kw, that comes to $.225 per mile. With gas at $2.00 per gallon, that's equivalent to 8.9 mpg for an ICE. Towing really hurts fuel economy, but a recent test of ICE vehicles towing 7000 pounds (a LOT more than a simple Smart car), the lowest mpg was around 8.9. The best, which were diesel powered, was around 14mpg. (tfltruck.com/2018/06/mpg-challenge-most-efficient-truck-towing-listed-specs/). Yes, gas prices fluctuate, and all the other benefits of EVs are worth a lot, but the KZbinr was spot on wondering how Tesla trucks are going to perform from an energy efficiency standpoint.

[@ernestbeggle1981]

That's the problem with comparing ICE efficiency vs. EV efficiency. I was speaking more from an energy efficiency perspective, the way the EPA does. From an economic perspective, what you are saying also makes sense. And that's probably the way most people will view it.

[@lumberjackdreamer6267]

@@risingdough8078 I have solar panels, I produce all my energy and I like that independence. Gas should cost $10 to $20 a gallon, if we include the cost of climate change, pollution, health hazards, …

[@risingdough8078]

@@lumberjackdreamer6267 I have solar panels as well, and I agree that the true cost of gas to society is much higher than what we pay at the gas pump. And to my point three years ago, gas prices are now back at "normal levels" (whatever that means) of ~$4 a gallon. Electricity rates have increased as well, but not as much. So there is an argument that the cost of energy to tow is lower with electric powered vehicles. But at $2 a gallon three years ago, not so much. Also, it is pretty well documented at this point that current battery technology is not adequate for hauling goods or towing. The Tesla semis, like most Tesla products, are experiencing reliability issues and are falling far short on performance promises made. But the critical issue is the curtailed driving ranges- they make electric trucks non-competitive with ICE vehicles. Physics and economics wins every time.

[@lumberjackdreamer6267]

@@risingdough8078 I have an old Nissan Leaf, with an old battery, very short range. Nonetheless, I tow a 3k trailer with it, it’s so much better than towing using my diesel truck. Comfort, quiet, no fume, better cameras, shorter wheelbase, better turn radius … it’s so much easier to drive a trailer with an EV. Also, I can haul 900 pounds of concrete bags in the Leaf, and it drives perfectly when loaded. Much better that most compact trucks. And much easier to load and unload than a large truck. Overall, an EV with a trailer is vastly superior to either a compact truck or a large full size truck. The diesel truck of course is required to pull a fifth wheel.

[@Crazypostman]

It's the same where I live. Way more CCS and CHAdeMO than tesla. Without an adapter I would have a much harder time here.

[@marknelson463]

Good to see that it can do the job!

[@vadimus2007]

While towing my boat to winter storage at 80km/h (regional road speed limit) I averaged 260 Wh/km, on my way back on the same road without trailer I've got 155 Wh/km so that's quite acceptable, not even twice and it is comparable with consumption hike I was getting when I was towing same boat with ICE vehicle.

[@JeremyAkersInAustin]

My biggest observation here is that not only is it still a big deal to tow without lights even in the day time (Because you're still required to have *brake lights*, especially on wet roads!)... But you also don't have any *trailer brakes*!! North Carolina law requires brakes on any trailer with a gross weight over 1,000 lbs (Most other states are somewhere between 2,000 to 4,000 lbs). That trailer alone probably weighs close to 2,000 lbs and the Smart car on top adds another 2,400 lbs. Your total weight trailer weight with the Smart car is well over 4,000 lbs. That's way too much weight to be towing without trailer brakes. That much weight without brakes *more than doubles* your overall stopping distance, plus you're driving 70-75 MPH on wet roads no less. I really enjoy your videos but I really feel like you were being a bit irresponsible on this one. I'm really rather surprised that you would willingly post video evidence of breaking this many laws on a single trip.

[@EdwardBoicourtIV]

Loving the content. So after moving I assume your now far away from the out of spec track?

[@stuck1n80s]

Great video. Just shows your love for all things EV and not trying to judge them and point out the negatives. Your friends are awesome to let you use their cars! 🍻 To you and your friends! Keep up the good work!

[@Hero007ization]

I want this Audi !

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

Cyberyruck will be less efficient to begin with so the difference when towing will be smaller.

[@TEVAssociation]

We are yet to install tow hitch on our etron but we re only towing a small seadoo lol for now 40e phev does the towin jobs

[@brucec954]

Towing is why there will be a 500 mile range Cyber Truck. There really needs to be the equivalent "EPA" ratting for campers and trailers so you can compare different models effect on range at highway speed.

[@erikstephens34]

Great video a good point of reference. Of note your tongue weight was probably on the high side so you probably could have turned the smart around. Ideally you want roughly ~10% of the total load - trailer weight forward on the tongue. It will be interesting to see what happens with the slew of EV trucks coming on the market. Even gas powered CUV's take a massive hit when towing. Of course all vehicles take a large efficiency hit when towing. I'd like to see what they can do to optimize an EV for towing and how much they can mitigate that hit.

[@jianxundong5395]

Just curious, does the factory tow hitch includes a working 7-pin connector?

[@MirkoScherrer]

Does it come with a 1.25 or 2 inch receiver? Thanks.

[@d3adk964]

Not bad at all. I hope you do a towing test with the new VW ID.4 AWD when it finally arrives next year or the year after. Lol.

[@OutofSpecReviews]

Of course!

[@Austin-nx1kl]

Saw and Audi e-tron with a burnt out portion of the Taillight exactly like that in Vancouver, Canada a few months back. Common it seems 🧐

[@mts982]

If you ever tow in california, its 55mph, maybe can get away with 60-65.

[@jackjoyce1744]

Here in the uk the maximum is 60 mph and in the rest of Europe it’s either 80 or 90 kph (50 or 55 mph) depending on each country.

[@mts982]

@@jackjoyce1744 sometimes peeps here in california drive faster than those NOT towing anything, like 80-85, just asking for a ticket.

[@jackjoyce1744]

@@mts982 in the uk there are speed cameras everywhere and they used to be hidden in bushes but they cannot now and they get you 24/7 and the fines are like £500

[@peterdatz6210]

Awesome video as always! I'd really like to see you use a Model X to tow a travel trailer (like the All Electric Family) - I bet most people who are towing with EVs tow travel trailers.

[@markfitzpatrick6692]

Teslabjorn did it with his model s in Norway. Plus he pulled a smaller trailer when he was delivering things

[@peterdatz6210]

@@markfitzpatrick6692 I've seen this - problem is travel trailers in the EU are much lighter and more aerodynamic than they are here.

[@ronb4633]

Bjørn also towed a large power boat over a mountain a few years back in Millennium Falcon, the Model X he used to own.

[@peterdatz6210]

@@ronb4633 I know and I've seen Bjorn's video, but it was just a suggestion.

[@canadagirleh]

Yes please! I have a teeny tiny fibreglass trailer and I just need an SUV that can tow 1500 pounds without huge range loss. Tesla or an Audi are out of my price range. but there must be something out there that is more affordable that can do what Tesla or electric pick up claim to do.

[@YeshuaIsLord777]

Does anyone know the name of the Tesla Adapter? Thank you!

[@ewicky]

Use a proper height ball hitch instead of using air suspension.

[@Muleyasama]

It’s well documented that the E-Tron has has relatively poor efficiency... but honestly... what did you expect driving at 85-90MPH.... even in an ICE car you are going to severely decrease your efficiency. Driving at 80mph as opposed to 70mph (I’m from the UK) on average has an increase of 15% consumption....

[@rickdye5332]

I love all your videos but am confused by this one. Since you are living in NC in this video I assume it was shot before your Oct 31 move to CO. In that video you tow your e-car behind the UHaul but in this video you have sold it to Sam?

[@OutofSpecReviews]

This is a different smart car and was filmed earlier!

[@markfitzpatrick6692]

@@OutofSpecReviews I noticed the difference in color gray to white.

[@tommays56]

It is interesting to see how much charging spots Raleigh has compared to the charging desert of South Carolina

[@michigandon]

Yes, we have bountiful options around here...with more on the way!

[@alaffy1112]

I am a simple man. I saw those thighs, I had to click. Side note: I am an Audi fan boy so I already know everything about this car and all other offerings.

[@Hobby_Electric]

Me with an classic Audi A4 3.0 V6 8L / 100Km normal and 10 to 11 l/ 100km with cartrailer. My max range decrease from 800 km to 600 km.

[@AhBeeDoi]

I think the Smart Car facing backwards is the more aerodynamic position because of the tapering of the car. That's right, it's probably more aerodynamic going backwards.

[@segredosdotiosam9989]

Being aerodynamic is the ability to open a small "hole" through the air, and slip through it . When you open a gigantic whole with the car facing backwards it doesn't matter what the shape of the other side is . In other words, for an aerodynamic tapering to work, it would have to be like that on both sides. Google the picture of a bullet train and you will understand what I 'm saying.

[@AhBeeDoi]

@@segredosdotiosam9989 The only way to know is through testing - wind tunnel and attaching streamers to observe airflow and turbulence. A tear drop shape where the front is blunter than the sloping rear is actually the smoother aerodynamic shape.

[@segredosdotiosam9989]

@@AhBeeDoi That is far from a teardrop shape. The back of the smart is just flat.

[@segredosdotiosam9989]

@@AhBeeDoi and the Smart would also have to be very long.

[@flashpointpubblicita]

Can't live without my Smart ev....I would like to have the new model but Usa market sucks...no new smart 2020,no honda e,no new fiat 500e,no all renault electrics....crazy

[@OutofSpecReviews]

Agreed! I have a 2017 smart electric and love it

[@stuffcomedy9749]

is lower or higher watt hours per mile more efficient?

[@peterdatz6210]

Lower

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

Thinks about it. You absolutely know the answer to that question if you think about the words and what the words mean.

[@genevadaddy]

It’s like “gallons per mile”. Higher is worse.

[@ralanham76]

It would be nice if everyone could use the same units.

[@logicpro8382]

There is a place in Germany who puts in better batteries for E-tron, seeing over 300+ miles range, 110kwh battery Costs a bit though. They use the same cell containers e-tron has.

[@jonpetter8921]

She is beautiful and your hair is great 👌 Edit: And the Audi is great!

[@TheGuyThatEveryoneIgnores]

I am always annoyed when a man complains about having a full head of hair.

[@ralanham76]

@@TheGuyThatEveryoneIgnores only Bald people notice that 😎

[@michigandon]

How much is the E-Tron rated to tow?

[@Foersom_]

1800 kg

[@auctionwheels]

4000 pounds

[@MG-yu6do]

Just put some tape over the smart charging port??

[@TEVAssociation]

Judging by license plate its someones private etron not from press fleet ?

[@tonys9413]

Obviously you didn’t listen to the video.

[@TEVAssociation]

@@tonys9413 sorry too much biz too little time love the channel though when posting on evs ..love that owner owns 3 of them too even if they review ice too lol

[@ralanham76]

So if you towed under 50mph it would subtract almost no range?

[@jackjoyce1744]

The efficiency would be significantly better than at 80mph. The air resistance would be lower so aerodynamics would be better. Here in the UK, you cannot exceed 60mph when towing. In other parts of Europe, you are limited to 50 and 55 so range would be much better at lower speeds.

[@jimmurphy4703]

Take two parks in line ?

[@jimmurphy4703]

Ahh you did 😂

[@GregHassler]

Slower is faster, you should be trailering at 65 mph or less, aero is everything.

[@lumberjackdreamer6267]

Please remember to cross your chains.

[@segredosdotiosam9989]

The problem is not so much the weight but The Smart acting as an airbrake going backwards on the trailer.

[@OutofSpecReviews]

Yes!

[@itekani]

It might actually be better backwards. Aerodynamics is not always intuitive.

[@segredosdotiosam9989]

@@itekani oh come on. Really?

[@itekani]

@@segredosdotiosam9989 Skiboxes have been known to get lower drag mounted bsckwards, so why not? teslaclubsweden.se/16-langre-rackvidd-med-bakatvand-takbox/

[@segredosdotiosam9989]

@@itekani look at the shape of the skibox .compared to the square ,flat face of the back of the Smart. Come on. You can''t be that stupid.

[@nonyanks2510]

You should have towed the car with a dolly, your trailer likely weighs as much as the car your hauling....try that next time.

[@fjalics]

The 500 mile Cybertruck I think will have a bit more than twice the battery of the e-tron, so it will be able to tow much better, though nothing like a Tesla Semi. The 300 mile Cybertruck might be a smidge better than the Audi, but not that much.

[@AdrianBurden1]

The (expensive) answer is to have an auxiliary battery pack in the flat bed of the trailer for EV users that tow regularly.

[@abcd-fx9bw]

0:37 the intro is wrong.

[@whocares264]

the smart car facing the wrong way on the trailer ....

[@Zavarcerealtor]

Theres a Trailer mode in the settings. DO NOT put it in All Road mode....DO NOT put it on Sport while towing and floor it, you will literally damage the motors. Once you do put it on Trailer mode, the vehicle knows this and the Driver Assistance features adjust/deactivate. If you had put the lighting plug for the trailer lights, the car would have immediately put itself on Trailer mode. You definitely didn't do any damage on this run, but if you're constantly doing this (as you've tested this car several times) you may actually be harming it. Stop, read the owner's manual, and follow instructions

[@OutofSpecReviews]

Yikes! Trust me, the car can handle all of this. But totally agree about trailer mode, I put it in the second day when i found the setting just didn’t mention it in the video!

[@TEVAssociation]

Etron does not sense automatically when trailer hooked up via trailer light sensors?

[@MrAlfable]

@@TEVAssociation It does, but he says in the video he didn't have, or couldn't find, the lighting plugs so they weren't hooked up.

[@ouch1011]

I highly, highly doubt that any damage is done by requesting full power from the motors, towing or not, or by raising the air suspension while towing. The equivalent weight on the suspension from the trailer was probably similar to having 4 adults plus luggage in the car, something a SUV is surely designed to handle. Trailer mode has more to do with adjusting the driver assistance (mainly the blind spot monitoring) and maybe the stability control to have some trailer sway control. It probably doesn't do anything to the air suspension, since it will just continue to load level as it would anyway, and probably doesn't do anything to the motor control since it will continue to cool the motors and battery as it would anyway.

[@Zavarcerealtor]

@@ouch1011 On page 120 of the owners manual it explains the extended wear that towing causes to the motors. Therefore, putting the etron on sport mode and launching it onto a highway while towing is certainly not helping the case.

[@YourMajestyTheKing]

Alyssa, I think that you are beautiful.

[@meloapa]

By what I can find Audi sold ~2300 E-Trons in USA in Q3 2020. I can't figure out how they sold any. Why does someone look at this car and decide they want it instead of a Tesla Model Y? I drove it when it first came out and as a Tesla-fanboy it made me yawn. Honestly: what is their appeal?

[@OutofSpecReviews]

It’s way better to drive and to be inside of

[@Foersom_]

Max payload: Audi E-Tron SUV: 640 kg Tesla Y LR: 402 kg

[@32BitLink]

Nicer interior, larger, tows more, better network of dealers?

[@abraxastulammo9940]

Charges consistently at 150 kW so you don't have to hit a particular narrow fast charge window, also comes with 22 kW option for home charging these days. USA Teslas can have a poor quality, Chinese much better - ridiculous if you think about it.

[@thatmidlifevlogger4463]

Who cares about This ?

[@philip6106]

You need to charge your vehicle. Lets it for twenty to thirty minutes and try that