System-Level Energy Consumption Impacts of Trailer Towing for Electric Pickup Trucks: A Multi-Domain Methodological Framework for Efficiency Benchmarking

Abstract

Trailer towing significantly impacts the energy efficiency and operational reliability of battery-electric pickup trucks by imposing large, scenario-dependent penalties on energy consumption and All-Electric Range. Yet, current efficiency certification procedures lack standardized representations of towing operations. This study presents an integrated triad framework connecting 1) on-road measurements, 2) chassis dynamometer reproduction, and 3) physics-based forward vehicle simulation to systematically decompose towing-induced energy losses for a production full-size battery-electric pickup. Near-zero-acceleration cruising segments were used to estimate the road-load coefficients and aerodynamic drag area, while filtered dynamic segments with measurable road grades were used to estimate the gross combination mass. These parameters were consistently propagated into an Autonomie-based model, achieving high-fidelity energy and all-electric range predictions validated against urban dynamometer driving schedule and Highway Fuel Economy Test cycles. Critically, the research reveals a physics-based crossover point identified at approximately 15.1–16.6 m/s (54–60 km/h) under steady cruising for the tested configurations, where the aerodynamic component exceeds the non-aerodynamic towing-induced road-load increments, identifying aerodynamics as the primary constraint for high-speed energy management. Results demonstrate that towing can increase energy consumption by up to 264%, leading to a 72% All-Electric Range reduction. Beyond vehicle-level analysis, this work provides a rigorous scientific basis for energy-demand forecasting, high-load battery sizing, and the development of standardized energy-labeling frameworks to ensure the technical viability of heavy-duty electric transport systems.