2030

[NamMedevac 70]

Very well said Bw/bus

 

[RandyA]

I am a baby boomer born in 1946.  I grew up in Oak Ridge, TN where nuclear energy was what kept the city alive with good paying jobs.  Three Mile Island and then president Jimmy Carter killed much of the future for nuclear power plants.  I remember well my Dad simply livid when development of the Graphite Reactor was halted.  Still, TVA's development of coal fired power plants like Bull Run and Kingston were going full bore.  I watched the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane Counties become yet another TVA lake generating hydro power.  There was a diversion channel built for cooling steam back to water for Bull Run at Solway Bridge.  Our cars were powered by big V8's with carburetors - often more than one.  Gas was cheap, leaded and we had an octane race with Esso, Gulf Crest and Sunoco 260 each touting 103 to 110 octane.  What made things change?  Population.  As the number of people in Tennessee, the USA and world increased two or three fold and expected the same energy benefits as everyone else air and water pollution soared and drastic changes were made.  TVA's coal fired plants were either converted to natural gas or had to undergo installing "scrubbers" to clean up emissions.  I remember when cars with big V8 engines were suddenly not cool anymore and 6 or 4 cylinder Iaccoca boxes became the preferred mode of transportation. I concluded that the era of fast cars and acceleration like our "muscle" cars of the 60's would never be possible.  Well, technology proved me wrong.  My South Korean built SUV with a 3.8L fuel injected, double over head cam engine, catalytic converter and computer control burning 87 octane unleaded gas gets to 7,000 RPM and 100 mph faster than my 68 Plymouth GTX "Muscle Car" with a 440 V8, 2-Carter AFB 4-BLL carburetors and a 4speed.  I never thought it was possible.

Dave made this comment and I quote:  "All of the proponents of alternative energy say and have said for decades that there needs to be a dramatic reduction in world population and a radical change of lifestyle before there is a CHANCE of meeting our energy needs with sources such as wind or solar. "

Now, that isn't going to happen without a huge war, environmental disaster like an asteroid hit, major volcanic eruption (Yellowstone), or plague (Covid?) wiping out not only a considerable number of people but existing infrastructure.

The goal of all electric cars and "green energy" is noble as world population (and pollution) continually increase.  Unfortunately, people like Ocasio-Cortez and Ed Markey, who have no scientific background are pushing a dream that has no true strategic plan to meet their goals.

The technology and money needed to meet a zero carbon goal do not currently exist with our present world population.  As soon as our current population starts feeling the inconvenience, loss of existing energy benefits and soaring cost of green energy there will be a massive public outcry that will change the political landscape.

If the transportation industry has to go "green" with electric trucks we will first see smaller trucks and smaller loads being moved by more vehicles.  The kick back or resistance will be significant as the current trend is toward double or triple trailers and bigger loads which require bigger and more powerful tractors.  We have yet to pioneer an all electric 747 airplane - or any passenger aircraft.  Locomotives are electric but it takes diesel power to generate the needed electricity.  All but a few large ships are diesel and will remain so until nuclear power plants like our Navy is using can be economically used on commercial ships.

IMHO, we as RVers using older HDT's will not see legislation that makes us stop our lifestyle or tax them out of reason.  We are still a capitalistic society rather than socialistic and I believe we will remain so.  The power of the ballot box and profitability of business will trump any lofty goals to eliminate fossil fuels in our lifetime - maybe 75+ years from now but not by 2030.  I'm 74 years young.  I expect that at best I have 10 more years that I can safely operate a HDT with a 40' fiver (2031) providing I don't die first.  I am all ready considering the mobility benefits of a class B+ even though we would lose the space and luxury of our current RV set-up.  I just don't see losing our HDT as an issue unless you are 22 years old and just starting out.

 

[DJohns]

5 hours ago, Big Rick said:

#Texit!

Sorry but not all of us understand your symbols

[Pat & Pete]

15 minutes ago, DJohns said:

Sorry but not all of us understand your symbols

Don't know what something means or is ? 

Google it : https://www.google.com/search?q=#Texit!

[jenandjon]

15 hours ago, Big Rick said:

#Texit!

Its too late. You got too many commiefornians there already.

 

[SuiteSuccess]

Please folks, I know that this thread had all the “in ways “ for a political discussion and I was not wanting it to go down that path and violate the forum rules and make posters square off against each other.  My original question was are the current global policies (and the U.S.) concerning fossil fuels going to have a significant impact on your plans for purchasing or upgrading your HDT,  your travel or lifestyle plans, your change to a different class of RV?  A segway  is plans to build $$$ trailers requiring an HDT to operate safely.

[justRich]

Disparaging California's power grid isn't entirely accurate. 
Daytime power use - yes, it may be deficient.
Nighttime power consumption decreases dramatically to a point of surplus.

Overnight battery charging is a more likely scenario.

 

[chief916]

On 2/4/2021 at 6:39 PM, richardbetsey said:

I think that electric that is practical for RV Coaches & trailers is some years away.

A lot will depend on companies that are working on class 8 trucks and how it works out in the real world. Tesla, etc)

The other problem is the power grid infrastructure to supply the power needed for charging. Some utilities are already having problems withe their transmission system in neighborhoods that have a high number of electric cars.

Keep in mind that to charge an electric car in roughly 8 hours takes a 50 Amp 220 Volt source. Now think of what will be needed to charge an HDT or MDT truck or coach. Without MAJOR improvements to RV park electrical systems it would not be possible. Such improvements could be in the 100 of thousands dollars for an RV park depending on size.

There are many questions both technical and financial before large scale use of electric trucks will become mainstream.

I may be off base and but I really feel that the HDT, MDT Coach future will be hydrogen fuell cell vehicles.

One last comment that maybe a bit political would be solar power only works when the sun is shining.

I hope you take my comments as more of a technical look than a political stance.

Bingo Richard.  I agree with you.  Once they can figure out the feasibility of how to package it and apply it but I don't believe it will happen on our watch.

Ben

[alan0043]

On 2/6/2021 at 11:45 AM, SuiteSuccess said:

Ok cold fusion.  There I said it.  (Just kidding Al).

Hi Carl,   years ago there was some ideas going around about breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen doing with some kind of cold process. 😃