Visit our Popular Forums

jcl · 01-12-2022, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

Have read this whole thread and no one addresses the issue of exactly WHERE all of this electricity is going to come from, given that oil and coal power plants are on the way out, natural gas production has been decimated by recent laws, and nuclear is not seen as "green" by all of those who signal virtue by their environmentalism, and wind and solar are available only intermittently, when conditions are juuust right.

Heck, the late great state of California has been experiencing brownouts NOW, so just how are they going to support a much larger demand from drivers?

Vivian

From renewables. Mainly solar and wind in the near term.

Intermittent generation is handled with utility grade batteries, and other storage methods. Also by incenting off peak vehicle charging with more variable rate structures. And moving to more interconnected grids can only help (looking at you, Texas)

dznf0g · 01-12-2022, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcl

From renewables. Mainly solar and wind in the near term.

Intermittent generation is handled with utility grade batteries, and other storage methods. Also by incenting off peak vehicle charging with more variable rate structures. And moving to more interconnected grids can only help (looking at you, Texas)

I am on an hourly rate program now, have been since I got my 2018 Volt. Programmed to be fully charged at 5AM, so it starts at 11:30PM if it is drained. Much cheaper at night...sometimes they pay me to charge when there is excess power on the grid.

jcl · 01-12-2022, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I don't think that is what he was meaning.

I do wonder about the trailer propulsion...how will they ensure integration with a wide variety of EV propulsion/regen logics and routines to ensure that the trailer doesn't "push" the EV at a most inopportune time. That, to me seems the biggest challenge.

It was a riff on what he was suggesting. I agree that there is no free lunch. But there are smart ways to approach this.

If I was the technical lead on the project (and I am not...) I would make the interface the hitch coupler. That would provide the largest potential market.

Surge brakes work well (if they are maintained). At a certain level of compression, the brakes activate. They would need to sense a certain level of tension, and then activate the propulsion. Using a strain gauge.

They obviously have advanced electronic controls in their prototype. They are discussing torque vectoring with rapid sensing of sway, and using individual trailer wheel motors to control it. They have pulled that trailer with a variety of vehicles, using an Audi e-tron in their long range European test. Audi wasn't reported to be part of the test, so it seems unlikely that they rewrote the vehicle software.

jcl · 01-12-2022, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I am on an hourly rate program now, have been since I got my 2018 Volt. Programmed to be fully charged at 5AM, so it starts at 11:30PM if it is drained. Much cheaper at night...sometimes they pay me to charge when there is excess power on the grid.

And vehicle to grid storage is coming fast. Battery electric vehicles will be able to supplement the grid during the 6 pm dinner power peak, for example, and charge more at midnight when the grid has low demand.

jcl · 01-12-2022, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

This is going to be something that serves as a major choke point for the advancement of EVs and ERVs. So many campgrounds already struggle to keep adequate voltage at the pedestal when everyone's running two (or three) a/c units. How on earth will those places manage to handle the additional load of people trying to recharge their EVs and their ERVs?

I suggest it will also be a major issue for those expecting 50 amp connections for their dual ACs, whether or not they operate a BEV.

The usual way of resolving mismatches between supply and demand is by increasing the price. For all users.

Basecamp.20X · 01-12-2022, 12:10 PM

I think EV is great, but charging is my issue. I boon dock and use the off road trail systems in AZ, CA, NV, & UT. What are the plans for charging stations?

jcl · 01-12-2022, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basecamp.20X

I think EV is great, but charging is my issue. I boon dock and use the off road trail systems in AZ, CA, NV, & UT. What are the plans for charging stations?

Give us the map coordinates for your typical boondocking site. Is it more than several hundred miles from a paved road?

Basecamp.20X · 01-12-2022, 01:43 PM

I’m in the Sierras, Plumas, & Lassen NF during the summer. Off HWY 108, 4, 70, 36, & 44. usually not to far from the Pacific Trail. I am an off-roading type who doesn’t want to get stuck while exploring. It’s not the last charge on the way to the camp. *It’s the charge I would need for the exploring. No desire to head back to the pavement for a charge. NV, AZ, and UT during the winter. Staying as far away from people as possible in all locations. Batteries are low can’t explore isn’t an option. Does that make sense.

jcl · 01-12-2022, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basecamp.20X

I’m in the Sierras, Plumas, & Lassen NF during the summer. Off HWY 108, 4, 70, 36, & 44. usually not to far from the Pacific Trail. I am an off-roading type who doesn’t want to get stuck while exploring. It’s not the last charge on the way to the camp. *It’s the charge I would need for the exploring. No desire to head back to the pavement for a charge. NV, AZ, and UT during the winter. Staying as far away from people as possible in all locations. Batteries are low can’t explore isn’t an option. Does that make sense.

Yes. If you want to do extended driving off road, and don't want to return to the pavement for charging, it likely means that you would not be well served by a BEV tow vehicle for now.

One option is to take along an electric assist mountain bike for exploring once you arrive, and recharge it from the tow vehicle.

davidrrand · 01-12-2022, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcl

From renewables. Mainly solar and wind in the near term.

Intermittent generation is handled with utility grade batteries, and other storage methods. Also by incenting off peak vehicle charging with more variable rate structures. And moving to more interconnected grids can only help (looking at you, Texas)

No offense, but if our incompetent Gov can not get serious about real infrastructure upgrades to our grid, and I am not talking about social welfare to buy votes, then this entire EV push will crash and burn. Just the opinion of someone who provided products to power generation and distribution industries for almost 40 years.
Putting on my helmet! 😝

jcl · 01-12-2022, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidrrand

No offense, but if our incompetent Gov can not get serious about real infrastructure upgrades to our grid, and I am not talking about social welfare to buy votes, then this entire EV push will crash and burn. Just the opinion of someone who provided products to power generation and distribution industries for almost 40 years.
Putting on my helmet! 😝

No offense taken. I reserve all my comments on your government, that way I don't have to put on my helmet!

Basecamp.20X · 01-12-2022, 04:34 PM

One option is to take along an electric assist mountain bike for exploring once you arrive, and recharge it from the tow vehicle.[/QUOTE]

Good idea, but that electric assist mountain bike wouldn’t be able to handle the trails. I need some power - as in HEMI powered 4WD.

I am interested in watching for those charging options though. I can hand the Basecamp X down to my Godchild. She might have that EV National Forest charging station option later on. I love our public lands.

dznf0g · 01-12-2022, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basecamp.20X

One option is to take along an electric assist mountain bike for exploring once you arrive, and recharge it from the tow vehicle.

Good idea, but that electric assist mountain bike wouldn’t be able to handle the trails. I need some power - as in HEMI powered 4WD.

I am interested in watching for those charging options though. I can hand the Basecamp X down to my Godchild. She might have that EV National Forest charging station option later on. I love our public lands.[/QUOTE]

Off topic, and not your gig...but they make 750watt 2 wheel drive mountain E-bikes....if you got $$$$.

Basecamp.20X · 01-12-2022, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Good idea, but that electric assist mountain bike wouldn’t be able to handle the trails. I need some power - as in HEMI powered 4WD.

I am interested in watching for those charging options though. I can hand the Basecamp X down to my Godchild. She might have that EV National Forest charging station option later on. I love our public lands.

Off topic, and not your gig...but they make 750watt 2 wheel drive mountain E-bikes....if you got $$$$.[/QUOTE]

I looked at those and they are quite nice. I seriously considered that (fits inside), the BMW F 650 also (nice motorcycle), but 2 wheels won’t cut it and I also have no way to get that [emoji965] into camp. Unless someone else brings it to me. [emoji23] I also looked at Can-Am two seater side by sides. I would need a platform 4X4 truck for everything. Maybe next truck will be that. I think EV is the future though - I was just born a little to early for what’s coming. [emoji268]

touristlar · 01-12-2022, 08:30 PM

Clearly EVs are the future. Electric passenger cars are here now (sales growing each year), electric trucks will take a bit longer, but just a matter of technology. I expect this thread is similar in content to the conversations that must have taken place just before Ford introduced the Model T in about 1908. We should check back on this conversation in a short 5 years (2027) and see how many of us are towing electrically.

dznf0g · 01-12-2022, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by touristlar

Clearly EVs are the future. Electric passenger cars are here now (sales growing each year), electric trucks will take a bit longer, but just a matter of technology. I expect this thread is similar in content to the conversations that must have taken place just before Ford introduced the Model T in about 1908. We should check back on this conversation in a short 5 years (2027) and see how many of us are towing electrically.

Mode T was 10 years after the first workable automobile concepts and roughly 6 years after first production vehicles...so we're on the cusp, but still in the beginning of ramp-up.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Airstream Forums mobile app

Basecamp.20X · 01-12-2022, 09:58 PM

[QUOTE=touristlar;2568993]

Yes, but the charging issues need to be improved. That’s why I am not purchasing anything EV. My lifestyle and charging stations are the reason.

dznf0g · 01-12-2022, 10:04 PM

[QUOTE=Basecamp.20X;2569010]

Quote:

Originally Posted by touristlar

Yes, but the charging issues need to be improved. That’s why I am not purchasing anything EV. My lifestyle and charging stations are the reason.

Me either, and I love the tech and retired from an oem. I do have a Volt for my "regional solo car". Tow vehicle? Not for some time yet.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Airstream Forums mobile app

Basecamp.20X · 01-12-2022, 10:06 PM

QUOTE=touristlar

The vehicles are here/have been here, but charging stations have to step up. Where I am at right now the lines at Tesla charging stations are incredibly long. So I imagine gas stations in 1908 where far and few—not on every corner as they are now. EV is here, but charging isn’t. Especially for us high country off grid/explorers.

**richard5933** · 01-13-2022, 05:43 AM

When automobiles first became available to the general public, gasoline was sold in cans at the local hardware store.

From what I've seen reading about the transition from horse & buggy to autos, two things which were needed to make autos take off were the availability of fuel at the pump, and the existence of paved roads. And then of course there was the issue of cost...