Electric Motorhomes - Consider This Before You Dive In

OK, we might be getting ahead of ourselves a little here. You can't really buy a commercially available electric motorhome right now, but electric powered motorhomes are coming. I think we can all agree on that. Electric cars are here already and sales are increasing every year. In fact you will only be able to buy electric cars in the UK from 2030 - hard to believe, but the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned in just 9 years time! (You will continue to be able to buy used petrol and diesel motorhomes and cars beyond this date.)

Commercial electric powered chassis will be available shortly and motorhome manufacturers will start building on them. Everyone can see it coming and so inevitably, some are vey keen to join the electric revolution as soon as possible. However, we just want to draw your attention to a new development in battery technology that you should be aware of before becoming an early adopter in the coming electric motorhome transition.

Solid State Batteries

Not surprisingly, now the world is turning its attention to the new green agenda, technology in all areas is developing fast as resources are allocated to the theme. This includes a central plank of the green agenda, electric powered cars - and more specifically, the batteries used to power them.

A big development now seems imminent - the transition from liquid batteries to solid state batteries. A recent article in Cnet explains the benefits clearly:

A solid-state battery is exactly that: A tightly compressed arrangement of hard materials rather than the slightly mushy stew that makes up a typical lithium-ion (li-ion) battery. That solid state composition and construction yields an electrochemical device that promises a lot of improvements:

Greater energy density. This could mean an EV with two or more times the current range, or possibly an EV with the same range but with a much smaller, lighter and less expensive battery that charges faster.
Faster charging. Estimates of an 80% charge in 15 minutes get bandied about a lot with solid state, performance that would be on par or a bit faster than today's best li-ion applications.
Longer life. Solid-state tech is a key part of GM's plan to produce a million-mile life battery, changing the equation of EV affordability and reducing concerns about mountains of toxic batteries that need recycling after 100,000 to 150,000 miles.
Thermal stability. Solid-state designs promise less likelihood of thermal runaway, which can cause a fire. Li-ion batteries have developed a nasty reputation for this.

When Will It Happen?

Major car manufacturers such as Toyota and VW are working on solid state batteries now and expect to have them in vehicles within five years. You can see the problem - buy a new battery powered vehicle now and it may be made obsolete by the new technology in the not too distant future.

There are lots of exciting things happening in the world connected to the green revolution and electric powered vehicles are at the forefront. However, as with all new fast developing technologies, it pays to stay informed. We'll keep an eye on developments and bring you news as we get it.

In the meantime, happy motorhoming!

The Motorhome Depot Team.