Mercedes is coming out with an electric sprinter and Tesla is coming out with an electric work truck within the next couple years. I'm thinking of forming an interest group to get enough people together to get wholesale price on one of those. Until then:
"Where are the Electric RVs?"
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I would think that having to rely on an all electric vehicle in Texas for the last couple days would be more than inconvenient.
Here is a link to an article on how cold weather affects electric vehicles.
https://www.myev.com/research/buyer...cy-weather-affects-an-electric-vehicles-range and charging ability.
Is there such a thing as roadside service charging? Seriously, if you run low on battery do you need to be towed to a charging station?
Guy
Here is a link to an article on how cold weather affects electric vehicles.
https://www.myev.com/research/buyer...cy-weather-affects-an-electric-vehicles-range and charging ability.
Is there such a thing as roadside service charging? Seriously, if you run low on battery do you need to be towed to a charging station?
Guy
Where would you be trying to go if you were in Texas? Once we get a reliable power grid and have a variety of power sources on a national scale these problems shouldn’t exist. That got proposed a few weeks ago with the change of administration. It may someday be possible to receive a charge while driving down certain roads.
They should build them with batteries that can be changed quickly on a rollout system. Instead of waiting hours to recharge,you would just need to stop long enough to change out your depleted battery and install a fully charged module. Varying sizes of vehicles would be accommodated by the number of battery modules used. You rent the batteries instead of buying them.
"Once we get a reliable power grid and have a variety of power sources on a national scale these problems shouldn’t exist."
I agree, to a point. However I have at best another thirty years of future left and can't see this happening by then. Don't forget that it was once predicted that we would be driving "flying cars" decades ago.
Another point. As EVs on the road increase in percentage, how should they be taxed since they don't use easily taxed liquid fuel (42 cents a gallon in FL)? Mileage scanned from the onboard computer?
Everyone stay warm and safe.
Guy
I agree, to a point. However I have at best another thirty years of future left and can't see this happening by then. Don't forget that it was once predicted that we would be driving "flying cars" decades ago.
Another point. As EVs on the road increase in percentage, how should they be taxed since they don't use easily taxed liquid fuel (42 cents a gallon in FL)? Mileage scanned from the onboard computer?
Everyone stay warm and safe.
Guy
madrecpally
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How does the new Ford F150 Hybrid Truck work in terms of adding a RV Truck Camper Shell (not sure their accurate names). The Hybrid is supposed to be able to work as a generator without issue and with the Hybrid batteries I would assume the generator would charge the batteries. Anyone here test them? In essence it could be the first Hybrid RV setup and maybe even instead of a shell it could even pull an RV and connect it to the truck.
Freelander
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slow2day said:
I'll get the hot water running, that should speed things up.
Dan 1
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Maybe Electric Vehicles would be more for the "Minimalist" class of Nomads who would be willing and able to wait for solar panel recharging time? These "Minimalists" would also have to be willing to travel less distance at a stretch too.
But they would have to become skilled at not getting caught in municipal and suburban territories...or acquire knowledge of charging stations in those areas.
The quick change battery idea is a good option too. Nomads and "Stick and Brickers", could become involved in the equipment it would take to do this service and make a bit of a Living.
Speculative Problematic Scenario:
A "Minimalist" Electric Vehicle user goes to visit their Auntee in a big city (or near a big city). The "MInimalist" miscalculates how much energy the vehicle would use for this visit and reaches "half Charge" too soon in the city area. They quickly find a charging station and puff up the batteries enough to get the vehicle to where a "Quick Switch" Entrepreneur can rendezvous with them. Then the "Minimalist" happily returns to the wide open spaces where solar charging is okeedokee.
Last Second Thought:
Solar Farms are also in "wide open spaces". Maybe these could be rigged with charging stations too?
But they would have to become skilled at not getting caught in municipal and suburban territories...or acquire knowledge of charging stations in those areas.
The quick change battery idea is a good option too. Nomads and "Stick and Brickers", could become involved in the equipment it would take to do this service and make a bit of a Living.
Speculative Problematic Scenario:
A "Minimalist" Electric Vehicle user goes to visit their Auntee in a big city (or near a big city). The "MInimalist" miscalculates how much energy the vehicle would use for this visit and reaches "half Charge" too soon in the city area. They quickly find a charging station and puff up the batteries enough to get the vehicle to where a "Quick Switch" Entrepreneur can rendezvous with them. Then the "Minimalist" happily returns to the wide open spaces where solar charging is okeedokee.
Last Second Thought:
Solar Farms are also in "wide open spaces". Maybe these could be rigged with charging stations too?
john*thomas
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Interesting read.......I always hate when I read a manufacturer stating "there is no market for....................". B.S. This is what they said about Hybrids and electric cars not all that long ago.
Weight is a killer of EV's so that is going to cause a delay in electric RV's. I do hope VW makes a camper. It will likely come though. Technology is moving at a pretty good clip here. I've said for years that EV's may not be the end answer but they are a step in that direction at least. It's not just standing still.
When you can get 80% charging in 20 minutes now that is a leap from just a few years ago. I had a C-Max Electric/Hybrid. It was pretty cool running on electric. Here in WV every state park has a FREE charging station. Pull up, charge and there is no charge. I was a part of the Motorweek segment here. The C-Max seen at around 39 seconds and later was mine (it got wrecked).
https://www.motorweek.org/features/green_motoring/west-virginia-electric-charging-stations
Weight is a killer of EV's so that is going to cause a delay in electric RV's. I do hope VW makes a camper. It will likely come though. Technology is moving at a pretty good clip here. I've said for years that EV's may not be the end answer but they are a step in that direction at least. It's not just standing still.
When you can get 80% charging in 20 minutes now that is a leap from just a few years ago. I had a C-Max Electric/Hybrid. It was pretty cool running on electric. Here in WV every state park has a FREE charging station. Pull up, charge and there is no charge. I was a part of the Motorweek segment here. The C-Max seen at around 39 seconds and later was mine (it got wrecked).
https://www.motorweek.org/features/green_motoring/west-virginia-electric-charging-stations
I saw my first empty single place jet ski trailer hooked to a larger Tesla sitting in the parking lot of the lodge charging today. How much you want to bet they hand launched it? Lol!!! Last hybrid Ford Escape that tried to launch ended up "dead in the water" as it seems he got in over the battery and shorted out everything. I believe I read in the owners manual they suggested not getting in water over 8". We are over 100 miles from the nearest charging station with lots of steep grades. I hope to find out how he did it if in fact he did tow the ski here.
Dan 1 said:
I'm in Oregon these days. The last three WalMarts I have visited now have charging stations.
I've also seen charging stations at several Ace Hardware stores in Cali, Oregon, and Washington. And at one Cali highway rest area. And at one Washington resort hotel.
Don't worry, they're coming...
Dan 1
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jacqueg said:That's better than I had Thought, "jacqueq"And I have seen charging stations (three I think) at a casino (Chicken Ranch" in Jamestown, California. (On the route to "Sonora Pass" and the beautiful Highway 395)
I'm going to start looking for them and marking them on a map. An interesting project for this old "Minimalist". (1998 Dodge, "Caravan") I have a wee Nissan pick-up too...that I am planning to covert to electric. Might be able to tow it behind the "Caravan". We'll see.
Thanks for your response.
Dan 1
Well-known member
"EV Go" offers a free map of their charging stations. Find an EV Charging Station Near You | EV Fast Charging Stations Map (evgo.com)
Looks like quite a hole between two stations in Reno and seven in Salt Lake City. (Highway 80)
Looks like quite a hole between two stations in Reno and seven in Salt Lake City. (Highway 80)
The problem with EV - RV or commuter - is the lack of infrastructure. Now, in the urban areas of the US this isn't an issue, but once you get into less populated areas, it becomes a problem that is multiplied exponentially when you start taking into account winter weather and drastically reduced battery efficiency coupled with higher draw. I live in rural Maine, I've seen one EV on the roads that doesn't have a MA plate on it. That one belongs to Stephen King, and he only drives it in the summer. In the winter he uses his Maserati SUV because - in his words - it is more reliable, two words you never hear said in the same sentence. If you stick to the coast you can find EV stations, you get up here and it is a big NOPE, they aren't even available at the majority of hotels. If you are traveling and don't mind stopping for extended time to charge, then it isn't an issue. If you live around here and can easily kill 100-120 miles just going grocery shopping, you are going to be in a world of hurt in February.
Dan 1
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The highway departments should install charging stations at every mountain pass.
Dan 1 said:
Not needed there...electric vehicles get free regenerative braking on the way down.
...Can't do that with a I.C.E.
Best places (to install them) are probably gas stations, rest stops and parking lots. Also keep in mind that many campgrounds (KOA, etc.) already have 30 & 50 amp power available at each site.
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