Hi Alan, a big question for you (apologies if you have already answered elsewhere). As you'll be well aware, numerous car manufacturers are moving to electric vehicles, with companies such as Volkswagen indicating that, by 2030, half of their vehicle sales will be electric. My question is, what if anything does this mean for motorhome sales and motorhome life? Is this something that you've discussed at the conventions? For example, do you expect that production and sales will continue as usual but with whopper carbon taxes applied (whether to the vehicle sales or the fuel or both)? Or perhaps an exception could be carved out for motorhomes, given that (to my knowledge) there is no electric alternative for consumers to consider. Grateful for your thoughts and all the content.
Good question Robert, I might do a video on this one, although I have talked about it in the past as well. My own opinion has changed a bit, I am much more electric sceptic than I was, however I am seriously thinking of building an electric campervan once my current one gives up on me. Hymer states that it will start to series build electric models once a range of 500km can be guaranteed. Hybrid models have been built by Dethleffs but they are not really campervans but what I call car - campers. In Germany there is a body attempting to get exemptions made for RVs, however I cannot see it happening, nor anywhere else for that matter. As for traditional diesel RVs, sales will continue to hit the roof and I forecast as a former business person that demand will continue to outstrip supply at least until 2024.
@@VanlifewithAlan Thanks Alan - interesting times. And I wasn't aware of that push for an exemption in Germany; it does make sense that they should resist, given how much they love their Wohnwagens over there! On the distance capability, isn't there going to be the problem of not just distance but also the extra drain on the battery for actually living in it, whereas certain elements would have otherwise been powered off the engine (my knowledge of motorhome electrics is very limited!)? I just don't see how the eletric versions could be viable unless you are always just driving from one motorhome park to another. It seems to me that the freedom of the motorhome would be rather diminished. Anyway, I look forward to your two cents on that subject as it becomes more and more relevant!
@@robertobrien988 Heating would have to be probably gas as would cooking in my opinion. There are people who have built vans and cook with the battery but I think that is taking it too far if one stands off grid for any time. I can stay in one place for a month or more without starting the engine!
I think it will be a long way before we see electrical campers on a main stream level. First lets see the outcome of conventinal electric cars in the next 10 years or so.
1:16 - A great example of the useful information you provide your viewers, Alan. I don't think I would have known to steer clear of stoves with knobs like this if you hadn't warned about them in your videos. Thank you!
Sorry Stefan, sometimes things get uploaded twice, the first time at Dusseldorf then when I am mass uploading afterwards. I try to avoid repeats but sometimes it happens. I still have quite a lot of stock so I don't need to do this. Anyway, thanks for letting me know!
Hello, it's a pity that the fuels keep increasing, We had the project to buy this kind of vehicle, but, the expensiveness of the fuel encourages us to be reasonable and change our minds, So we took the decision not to buy and spend our holidays in a mobile home. Being young retirees, we do not want to spend on expensive fuel and overpriced accessories. In short, we do not want to become "cash cows" for manufacturers or service stations. Cordially ..
Whereas I appreciate that fuel now costs almost twice as much as it did 18 months ago, I don't think it is significant when compared to all the other costs of RVing! That is a good subject for a video!
60k and diesel heater not even included, that’s ridiculous. I can’t understand why people want to mess with those huge and heavy gas bottles, for no reason what so ever.
Hi Alan, a big question for you (apologies if you have already answered elsewhere). As you'll be well aware, numerous car manufacturers are moving to electric vehicles, with companies such as Volkswagen indicating that, by 2030, half of their vehicle sales will be electric. My question is, what if anything does this mean for motorhome sales and motorhome life? Is this something that you've discussed at the conventions? For example, do you expect that production and sales will continue as usual but with whopper carbon taxes applied (whether to the vehicle sales or the fuel or both)? Or perhaps an exception could be carved out for motorhomes, given that (to my knowledge) there is no electric alternative for consumers to consider. Grateful for your thoughts and all the content.
Good question Robert, I might do a video on this one, although I have talked about it in the past as well. My own opinion has changed a bit, I am much more electric sceptic than I was, however I am seriously thinking of building an electric campervan once my current one gives up on me. Hymer states that it will start to series build electric models once a range of 500km can be guaranteed. Hybrid models have been built by Dethleffs but they are not really campervans but what I call car - campers. In Germany there is a body attempting to get exemptions made for RVs, however I cannot see it happening, nor anywhere else for that matter. As for traditional diesel RVs, sales will continue to hit the roof and I forecast as a former business person that demand will continue to outstrip supply at least until 2024.
@@VanlifewithAlan Thanks Alan - interesting times. And I wasn't aware of that push for an exemption in Germany; it does make sense that they should resist, given how much they love their Wohnwagens over there!
On the distance capability, isn't there going to be the problem of not just distance but also the extra drain on the battery for actually living in it, whereas certain elements would have otherwise been powered off the engine (my knowledge of motorhome electrics is very limited!)? I just don't see how the eletric versions could be viable unless you are always just driving from one motorhome park to another. It seems to me that the freedom of the motorhome would be rather diminished.
Anyway, I look forward to your two cents on that subject as it becomes more and more relevant!
@@robertobrien988 Heating would have to be probably gas as would cooking in my opinion. There are people who have built vans and cook with the battery but I think that is taking it too far if one stands off grid for any time. I can stay in one place for a month or more without starting the engine!
I think it will be a long way before we see electrical campers on a main stream level. First lets see the outcome of conventinal electric cars in the next 10 years or so.
1:16 - A great example of the useful information you provide your viewers, Alan. I don't think I would have known to steer clear of stoves with knobs like this if you hadn't warned about them in your videos. Thank you!
I think it is one of those things one never thinks of until it happens!
Hi Alan, You premiered this very same video on the 12th March 2022. Just thought I should let you know. Kindest regards.
Sorry Stefan, sometimes things get uploaded twice, the first time at Dusseldorf then when I am mass uploading afterwards. I try to avoid repeats but sometimes it happens. I still have quite a lot of stock so I don't need to do this. Anyway, thanks for letting me know!
@@VanlifewithAlan Keep up the good work. Stefan
Hello, it's a pity that the fuels keep increasing, We had the project to buy this kind of vehicle, but, the expensiveness of the fuel encourages us to be reasonable and change our minds, So we took the decision not to buy and spend our holidays in a mobile home. Being young retirees, we do not want to spend on expensive fuel and overpriced accessories. In short, we do not want to become "cash cows" for manufacturers or service stations. Cordially ..
Whereas I appreciate that fuel now costs almost twice as much as it did 18 months ago, I don't think it is significant when compared to all the other costs of RVing! That is a good subject for a video!
60k and diesel heater not even included, that’s ridiculous. I can’t understand why people want to mess with those huge and heavy gas bottles, for no reason what so ever.
Except for cooking 🙄