E-Motorhome

[Babe2201]

One of the problems I see with an EV RV is that the batteries would have to be so big and heavy it would drain the battery especially in mountain terrain and take up living space needed in an RV. Another problem is how do we get rid of the batteries when they wear out?

I also see issues in now not only do more charging stations need to be built they also need to be built big enough to get RV's in as well as the towables that are towed by EV's.

I see a lot of people on here saying that the battery technology will improve but can't the same be said about ICE vehicles? After all they have become more efficient over time and can still be improved without the need for everyone to be forced to an EV.

 

[Oldgator73]

Another problem is how do we get rid of the batteries when they wear out?

There are currently about 1.5 billion automobiles in operation worldwide. How do we dispose of those batteries?
“I see a lot of people on here saying that the battery technology will improve but can't the same be said about ICE vehicles? After all they have become more efficient over time and can still be improved without the need for everyone to be forced to an EV.”
Sure ICE vehicles can I,prove. Look at all the folks that were forced, over time, to give up their horse and buggy. The Amish are about the only ones that still use them. So yeah, when new technology comes along the old is replaced.

 

[Babe2201]

There are currently about 1.5 billion automobiles in operation worldwide. How do we dispose of those batteries?
“I see a lot of people on here saying that the battery technology will improve but can't the same be said about ICE vehicles? After all they have become more efficient over time and can still be improved without the need for everyone to be forced to an EV.”
Sure ICE vehicles can I,prove. Look at all the folks that were forced, over time, to give up their horse and buggy. The Amish are about the only ones that still use them. So yeah, when new technology comes along the old is replaced.

I guess the batteries ICE use are the same size as the EV right?

As far as the horse and buggy nobody was forced but ICE made travel a lot faster now didn't it? People chose to use the new technology and it was not rammed down people's throats to force a fake agenda on people. Nice try though.

 

[PJ Stough]

There are currently about 1.5 billion automobiles in operation worldwide. How do we dispose of those batteries?
“I see a lot of people on here saying that the battery technology will improve but can't the same be said about ICE vehicles? After all they have become more efficient over time and can still be improved without the need for everyone to be forced to an EV.”
Sure ICE vehicles can I,prove. Look at all the folks that were forced, over time, to give up their horse and buggy. The Amish are about the only ones that still use them. So yeah, when new technology comes along the old is replaced.

One of the "benefits" of the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 and the subsequent high prices for gasoline was that car manufactures began to spend billions on improving gas mileage in their cars.

Also, I dont see everyone being forced to an EV. We will have ICE vehicles for the foreseeable future.

 

[Babe2201]

One of the "benefits" of the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 and the subsequent high prices for gasoline was that car manufactures began to spend billions on improving gas mileage in their cars.

Also, I dont see everyone being forced to an EV. We will have ICE vehicles for the foreseeable future.

You do not see us being forced into EV's? They are admitting that is why they like the gas prices so high so they can force us to go EV. I guess you missed that. I guess you also miss where they say they want to do away with ICE so everyone has to use and EV. That tells me they don't want us to have a choice.

 

[PJ Stough]

I guess the batteries ICE use are the same size as the EV right?

As far as the horse and buggy nobody was forced but ICE made travel a lot faster now didn't it? People chose to use the new technology and it was not rammed down people's throats to force a fake agenda on people. Nice try though.

I dont see that EVs are being rammed down people's throats, but there is an industry shift to EVs in every country where vehicles are made, and actually, I believe the USA is lagging in that area.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

There are currently about 1.5 billion automobiles in operation worldwide. How do we dispose of those batteries?

Lead acid batteries are among the most recycled item in the world. I recall it's in the high 90's in terms of the lead being recovered and turned into new batteries, even the plastic cases are recycled. If lithium batteries were able to be recycled in the same way then it would be a good thing indeed, but today it's not possible. You can bet it's being worked on though, the stakes are high on this one.

People can't build their own cars, they have to buy them. So if you legislatively or economically render a particular form of car unviable, then people are forced to buy whatever they can get. A good example is light bulbs. Incandescent was "outlawed" and the only alternative was compact fluorescent. What a train wreck that was. They were more expensive, reliability was marginal and they were an environmental hazard to dispose of. If the breakthrough in white LED's hadn't happened we'd all be stuck with CFL's we don't want, not because incandescent doesn't work, but because "someone" decided they were "bad". So it's not so much that EV's will be "mandated", they'll just be the only alternative to ICE when by economic or political forces renders them uneconomical build, or to fuel. When you have government subsidizing the purchase of, and charge stations for EV's there's not much question what the favored solution is going to be. Time will tell if they're the "CFL" of personal transportation.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[TheBar]

A good example is light bulbs. Incandescent was "outlawed" and the only alternative was compact fluorescent. What a train wreck that was. They were more expensive, reliability was marginal and they were an environmental hazard to dispose of.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

An excellent analogy.

Something we all should remember is the Merriam-Webster definition of freedom:
1: the quality or state of being free: such as
a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

 

[SeilerBird]

I am currently shopping for a new car. I would love to buy an EV but they are just way too expensive compared to ICE.

 

[PJ Stough]

An excellent analogy.

Something we all should remember is the Merriam-Webster definition of freedom:
1: the quality or state of being free: such as
a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

Makes me think of things like the draft during the Viet-Nam war. No stop signs, no speed limits.

 

[DonTom]

answer is no

But what was the question?

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Babe2201]

But what was the question?

-Don- Auburn, CA

You asked if someone can work on them when they crap out. I thought you were talking about Tesla cars but looking again I think you were talking about chargers.

 

[DonTom]

. How do we dispose of those batteries?

They are working on it. You can read about that here.

"Redwood is launching the most comprehensive electric vehicle battery recycling program, beginning in California, to establish efficient, safe and effective recovery pathways for end-of-life hybrid and electric vehicle battery packs."

It's also happening in NV these days.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Isaac-1]

I am currently shopping for a new car. I would love to buy an EV but they are just way too expensive compared to ICE.

Tom, if I were shopping for a new car right now I would strongly look at one of the plug in hybrids that can go circa 30 miles before needing to run their engines. Such as the Ford Escape Plug in Hybrid (not to be confused with the Ford Escape Hybrid) or the new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4Xe

 

[SeilerBird]

"Tom, if I were shopping for a new car right now I would strongly look at one of the plug in hybrids that can go circa 30 miles before needing to run their engines. Such as the Ford Escape Plug in Hybrid (not to be confused with the Ford Escape Hybrid) or the new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4Xe"


Both are way out of my price range. The Fords are out no matter the price. Last time I bought a Ford they really teed me off. The sent me a product recall (on a 15 year old car). But it was just an excuse to get me into their service department so they could sell me services. The initial estimate was more than I paid for the car.

 

[DonTom]

You asked if someone can work on them when they crap out. I thought you were talking about Tesla cars but looking again I think you were talking about chargers.

I was talking about the CCS DC fast charges on the road--Tesla normally doesn't use those (but there are some expensive adapters).

My Chevy Bolt uses CCS, as well as most other non-Tesla EVs that can be fast charged on the road.

Tesla has the most reliable on-road charging network of all--and by far, and CCS is the worse. And Tesla promises to make no profit on their on-road charging system. Any money made from those (includes late fines after the charge is done when all stations are being used) goes into more charge locations and maintenance, never profit.

IMO, Tesla is the most reliable because it only charges Tesla. Plug-in and the charger will read your VIN number and takes care of the rest automatically, including the billing.

CCS chargers have to charge MANY different types of EV batteries (even my Energica motorcycle) of different voltages and currents. They run a very complicated program that will work on any EV (except Tesla). I think the complication makes it unreliable.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[DonTom]

You asked if someone can work on them when they crap out.

There are some good reasons why others cannot work on Tesla, at least for now. There is a lot of communications between stuff and often a new part wouldn't work anyway as it often involves more than a part replacement. Even with some stuff where you most wouldn't think about.

Replace the motor, the car is unlikely to run at all. Each new motor needs to be matched to the complicated waveform of the 3-phase inverter.

A cracked windshied. Replace the windshield and then it affects the cameras in a negative way. All types of issues like that which are best done at a Tesla shop.

I could give countless other examples.

On the positive side, I have done NO maintenance on my Tesla since new in year 2018, other than put a little air in a couple of tires. Not even any oil to check. And it's never been in the shop.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Babe2201]

There are some good reasons why others cannot work on Tesla, at least for now. There is a lot of communications between stuff and often a new part wouldn't work anyway as it often involves more than a part replacement. Even with some stuff where you most wouldn't think about.

Replace the motor, the car is unlikely to run at all. Each new motor needs to be matched to the complicated waveform of the 3-phase inverter.

A cracked windshied. Replace the windshield and then it affects the cameras in a negative way. All types of issues like that which are best done at a Tesla shop.

I could give countless other examples.

On the positive side, I have done NO maintenance on my Tesla since new in year 2018, other than put a little air in a couple of tires. Not even any oil to check. And it's never been in the shop.

-Don- Auburn, CA

Your average run of the mill mom and pop shop should be able to put fairly simple things like brakes and wheel bearings on them without any issue. Tesla won't even call the garage back and sell them the part.

 

[Babe2201]

There are some good reasons why others cannot work on Tesla, at least for now. There is a lot of communications between stuff and often a new part wouldn't work anyway as it often involves more than a part replacement. Even with some stuff where you most wouldn't think about.

Replace the motor, the car is unlikely to run at all. Each new motor needs to be matched to the complicated waveform of the 3-phase inverter.

A cracked windshied. Replace the windshield and then it affects the cameras in a negative way. All types of issues like that which are best done at a Tesla shop.

I could give countless other examples.

On the positive side, I have done NO maintenance on my Tesla since new in year 2018, other than put a little air in a couple of tires. Not even any oil to check. And it's never been in the shop.

-Don- Auburn, CA

I also have to think that if all you had to do is put air in the tires that means you have not replaced the tires yet which means it must be pretty low mileage so should not have needed any repairs yet.

FWIW I am not anti EV. If it works for someone then have at it. I am however against policies that intentionally raise gas prices to make it so the only way someone can afford to drive is to buy an EV. Some people seem to miss that or turn a blind eye to it but it is happening is completely wrong.

 

[Isaac-1]

I am kind of in the same ballpark, not anti EV, but anti anything where the nearest shop is 150+ miles away.