The electric vehicle (EV) market is driven by automakers’ desire to promote EV adoption and consumers’ concerns about range limitations. Ford has recently filed a patent application for a unique solution. It’s a backup battery pack that can be mounted on the vehicle’s roof. This patent aims to alleviate range anxiety and charging issues associated with EVs, particularly during long trips. The patent suggests that these battery packs could be rented or leased before off-roading adventures, among other possibilities.
Unanswered Questions
While Ford’s patent is intriguing, several questions arise. Firstly, how does Ford plan to reinforce the roof to support the weight of the battery pack? Merely using a roof rack may not be sufficient. Additionally, how will the battery pack be mounted and removed? EV battery packs can weigh thousands of pounds, so it is crucial to ensure a safe and practical method for installation and removal. The patent suggests the battery is removable, indicating that this roof-mounted pack may not have the same capacity as the large packs used in standard EVs. Therefore, it may weigh a couple of hundred pounds, meaning lifting a battery pack onto the roof will likely require assistance.
Potential Impact and Considerations
If the assumption is accurate, this external battery pack patent hints at a product similar to a reserve tank in a gas-powered vehicle. However, the additional weight and negative impact on aerodynamics could potentially reduce the EV’s range, especially at high speeds. Yet, in low-speed scenarios like off-road environments, the roof-mounted battery pack could provide the extra power needed to return to the trailhead. Adding solar panels to the pack could further enhance its functionality by allowing slow self-replenishment. This invention is not likely to become a reality shortly. Instead, it appears to be a placeholder for a time when Ford develops the appropriate electric off-road vehicle to utilize it effectively.
The Correct Way to Carry a Christmas Tree on One’s Car
It’s that time of the year with the snowflakes falling and the air ripe with the scent of cinnamon and cookies. You guessed it — it’s the Christmas season. And we all know how difficult it is to transport a Christmas tree. No matter how much one straps or ties it, it always ends up falling at least once.
The Reports
The ACTA claimed that while prices for fake trees may be higher than anticipated due to shipping challenges, prices for genuine trees have increased as a result of harsh weather occurrences across the U.S. With the prices going up, people will already have to worry about increasing their Christmas budget from last year. We’re sure that on top of that, they don’t want to worry about the additional cost of fixing their car. A study by AAA found that nearly one in five customers who purchase a genuine Christmas tree experienced tree loss while trying to transport it home.
Tips to Safely Export Your Trees
One of the simplest methods for moving a Christmas tree is to secure it to the roof rack with the trunk facing the front of the car. In case one’s car doesn’t have roof rails, they can run the tie-down straps or ropes through the door rather than the windows. If their car is big enough and they don’t mind sweeping up pine needles, they may even put the tree inside. It is advantageous to have the trunk securely fastened, whether it’s on the roof or in the rear seats of the car. One should keep in mind that while using the roof, secure the tree to the vehicle in three places: the front, middle, and back. Avoid utilizing the nylon rope that many tree lots provide, and try to avoid the interstate or driving at high speeds.