Electric 'Truck' - Under $14k!

Not exactly what we normally explore on the channel but its exciting and promising so I'd like to let folks know what we're trying...
To be clear, we are not recommending people do this or replace equipment or modify vehicles, just sharing what we're trying.
Starting with a Chevy Bolt 2020
Added this hitch mount:
Used: CURT 59236 Weather-Resistant Multi-Function Splice-in Trailer Tail Light Converter Kit, 4-Pin Wiring Harness
for the wiring. That part was crazy complex and hard, not a novice thing to explore!
Carry-On 5' x 8' metal mesh trailer from Lowes or Tractor Supply or the like for $1000 is what I landed on as a good fit for our needs.

These are some *extremely* lean and initial reference points of what we did for our setup, not a prescription or how-to, just some ideas to check out.

The Bolt has been getting roughly 4 miles to kwh of power, and our current cost of electricity is 6 cents a kwh, so that is how I calculate the cost of driving. It is convoluted but ends up being 1.5 cents a mile roughly. I just say 2 cents a mile. My truck gets 14mpg and gas is $3.80 a gallon at this moment, it costs me 27 cents a mile to drive that... Crazy difference.

Since my older rear wheel drive truck can't go off-road and has broken leaf springs and can't be heavily loaded, this car is basically capable of the same or more work at about 16 times less cost. No emissions, its quiet and I can recharge with used solar panels so I'm psyched. I can feel confident putting my baby in a relatively new car seat and transporting my family as well, which is a pretty nice upgrade from our past rough rides.

Anyway, maybe this is useful to someone out there...

Edible Acres is a full service permaculture nursery located in the Finger Lakes area of NY state. We grow all layers of perennial food forest systems and provide super hardy, edible, useful, medicinal, easy to propagate, perennial plants for sale locally or for shipping around the country…
Happy growing!

[robyn]

I know Sasha isn't super fond of being on camera but it was so nice to see her and Zelda. Beautiful family ❤

[laddieokelley]

When I was young and saw a vehicle as a status symbol, my father, a carpenter, reminded me that a vehicle is a tool. I eventually adopted his view and I respect that you and Sasha adopted it too. I often cover my backseat with a tarp; your piece of plywood might be a good addition.

[VStrizzy]

These are the most practical and helpful videos on YouTube. Keep up the great work

[farmyourbackyard]

Baby Zelda is as cute as a button and your driveway space is more clean and organized than I've ever seen it! Great job! When I was setting up my air prune boxes, I was particularly trying to go for some better organization than I have in previous set-ups. Thank you for the inspiration to keep going.

[wholesystems]

Nice one sean! So nice to see you guys. In many parts of Europe maybe 5/6 of the vehicles that would be trucks here in the US are tiny hatchbacks all with trailer hitches and in some places in Sweden I saw many trailers at many of the gas stations. When I asked my buddy who lives there “why all the trailers at gas stations?!” He looked at me surprised - “that’s where you get one by the hour.”

[ericlotze]

Hatchbacks are really underrated! I’m an apprentice electrician, and my Toyota Carolla Hatchback can carry all sorts of crap.

Fold the back seats down and it can carry all my tools (in a “rolling toolbox” type thing, think packout or dewalts bins but knockoff lol), or a BUNCH of MC / Wire and all sorts of stuff!

Fold the seats up and i can take 3-4 People with me somewhere!

Sadly can’t tow at least “officially”.

My dream hatchback/(mini-) van would be a PHEV (optimally fuel cell, but probably a boring engine) that could tow a small trailer. One can dream. May by an old Chevy Volt and hack that together someday.

[BroadShouldersFarm]

The car and trailer and all that looks absolutely awesome! Can’t wait to follow updates on your experiments with the system. But, I have to say that my favorite part was seeing Zelda doing all that waving and kicking in the air! Look at those legs! Such a cutie.

[heatherh]

Oh that's wild, we just bought a 1996 F150 *one day* before you posted this 😅

Isn't that the circle of cars! Our minivan that could hold exactly 25 full leaf bags just died. I love having one tiny, fuel-efficient transport pod for long trips and one beat-up rolling toolbox, but you're so right, it's all kind of a grueling series of compromises. In a couple years I'm hoping there's a generation of all-electric pickups that we can afford used, and that we've made big advances in recyclability and material use efficiency.

So happy as always to see y'all rustling around in this world, doing cool stuff and sharing your ideas and your compassionate perspectives with us.

[QuickQuix]

I'm always so happy and honored to see S & Z. Such joy. Thank you both/all.

[stillwhitelight]

I use a 2010 Prius as my farm truck, there’s lots of room with the rear seats folded down, but you’ve enlightened me to get a hitch, thank you!

[everhdt]

Great idea you had with that. I hope it works out well for you.

[fromthehutt]

I drive an old pickup but when it kicks the bucket, hopefully not for awhile I’d like to get an awd car with trailer. We are down to two car seats now so I’m not as worried about backseat space. Glad to see it’s working for you

[marxagarden]

I would love to see more on the electrified BCS. Maybe I missed it in a previous video.

[govindasgarden]

i love your practical solutions that lean towards simplicity, sustainability, and respect to your environment... even with something like getting a new/used car! as an aside, i'm looking forward to see how that t-shirt evolves over the years ;)

[cherylwhite]

Glad you are being straightforward about all the pros and cons of energy sourcing and use!! I think we're all trying to reduce our footprint and still get work and fun done and done!!!

[julie-annepineau]

I have a 2016 Honda fit. I am always surprised at how much it can haul. Really like the idea of the plywood to protect the fabric. Hoping to move to electric when it dies, but also hoping I have a few more years of life in it before I get there. Loved seeing Sasha and Zelda!

[beefandpork]

Consider keeping your truck—and keeping it in working-enough condition—for those frigid days when the electric car won’t function well. In some areas, you can purchase a sort of agricultural vehicle registration at a significant discount to a normal registration. 😊

[michellewolf]

What a sweet deal 🎉 it broke my ❤to spend 20 k on a used 2015 Subaru 2 years ago 😅
Thanks for sharing your journey!

[KatBurnsKASHKA]

fantastic! great to see folks realizing they can move a lot of stuff without having a giant gas guzzler!

[JumpingSpider]

Wow that’s amazing! I just got back from a trip and drove a Chevy bolt for the rental. Great little car! Cool to see it adapted to your needs. We’re not in a position to buy a new car. But when the time comes, a used Chevy bolt would be a great option