Bed Cap That Increases Range?

[thelastdeadmouse]

With electric trucks improving aerodynamics doesn't just mean lower running costs, but longer range, which can be significantly more valuable. Because of this I'm surprised I haven't seen any concepts for Cyrbertruck bed caps that would improve aerodynamics and add range in the process. If you can design a truck cap that adds range it could pay for itself vs the cost of a larger battery, plus whatever storage or functionality benefits the cap could add on top of that.

Has anyone seen a concept for this? I'd love to see some CFD results for a few different shapes. I've done a little 3D modeling for welding and woodworking projects, but complex curves and CFD is beyond my skillset.

 

[dazedNconfuzed]

What range increase are you expecting?
Elon mentioned the solar cover capable of adding 5-10 miles/day, even when not moving.

 

[thelastdeadmouse]

It seems like for a standard pickup truck shape 10-25% improvements in mileage are possible with an aerodynamic bed cap.

Aerocaps for pick-up trucks

When people think about fuel economy, they usually think about small cars, perhaps a mid-size hybrid. If they think about trucks, its usually to contrast them with a more efficient vehicle (and perhaps chastise truck owners for their wasteful choice). […]

ecomodder.com

I'd assume that the sloped back of the Cybertruck is already an advantage over the standard shape, so aim on the low end of that and say 10% is possible. 30 miles on 300 is nice, but adding 50 miles on 500 is great. People often pay 10k for another 100miles of range (plus a little extra performance), $1-2k for 30-50% as many miles is a pretty good value. It's also possible the effect would be even more noticeable when towing, when you really need the extra range, since the areo effect could act both on the rear of the truck and on the trailer by cleaning up the dirty air off the truck and keeping it from filling in void between the truck and trailer.

 

[BobbyTables]

I always assumed that the Cybertruck design started with the shape of an aerocap, then the design team fell in love with the sharp look, and they made the front flat too.

I don't think you will be able to get more range out of a different shaped aerocap than the one already incorporated. If you could, they would have made it that way, as it would have allowed them to provide smaller batteries with the same range.

As an aside, the small frontal area relative to the length is a signature of tesla vehicles. This isn't an accident: the length of the model 3 is essential for its efficiency, as is the length (and shape) of the Cybertruck; as the vehicle body approaches a teardrop shape, the vehicle gets more efficient. For this reason, I don't see much benefit of a shorter Cybertruck (or short model 2), as it would have the same frontal area of the base car, be shorter, deviate further from a teardrop shape, and get less range for the same battery size.

 

[TexasDuke]

FYI: TFL just did a general comparison with and without a 400lbs topper. And it came out even. The additional weight of the topper leveled out any gain of the aerodynamics.
Just thought I’d share.

 

[qdeathstar]

I thought we were talking about a topper with a batter built into it. My vote is maybe but you would need a fork lift to get it up there.

 

[mdelvin]

On my non-electric F150, I bought a tonneau cover from 4wheelonline and didn't saw a huge difference in mpg. I'm still pleased with it because my main concern is cargo security.

About the CT, I know there's already a patent for a solar panel tonneau that could help improve the range.

 

[ThomasD]

I wish the cover was not a slant back and was the same height as the roof all the way to the tailgate

.

 

[TexasDuke]

I wish the cover was not a slant back and was the same height as the roof all the way to the tailgate

.

Give it about 1 year after full production and someone will have a topper for you to purchase. that will give you that look.

 

[EvilNuff]

With modern pickups tonneau covers have a very small increase in mileage, the numbers I have seen indicate under 2%. My personal testing has shown over the years no benefit (given margin for error in my real world tests). I'm not sure what you expect as a bed cap for the cybertruck which would actually improve aerodynamics?

 

[Suns_PSD]

The tonneau cover on my truck was actually capturing wind, fluttering like crazy, & I presume costing me MPG. No matter what I did I could not get my soft tonneau cover sealed at the front to prevent this.

Anyways, the CT already has a hard aero shaped mechanical bed cover. If they add flexible solar panels to it even better. I don't see anyone improving on this design for improving efficiency.