Battery that can be part of the structure of a vehicle

[profdant139]

I stumbled upon this interesting article -- the researchers have developed a battery that can also serve as a structural member. Thus, the battery may no longer be a dead weight but instead is part of the vehicle. They don't mention RVs, but it seems like this product might fit our needs, if it ever pans out:

Massless or structural battery article

Just another possible development to watch!

[wa8yxm]

I think the industry may well jump on this technology.. here is why.
Batteries have a "life span" none of them last forever. So you now have a built in clock to "Dead car" and if it's part of the frame. you need to get not just a new $7,000 (Pirus) battery but a whole new car.

[rlw999]

I can see why car manufacturers would like this -- it solves the "How much is it going to cost to replace the battery in 10 years" question because when the frame is the battery, the entire car is disposable, you have to buy a new one when the battery ages out.

[time2roll]

I hope it works at some level. Going to be hard to get it into the new gigapress.

[pianotuna]

profdant139,

There was a car call the "Gee Whiz" produced in India and sold in the UK which had a tubular frame--and inside were the batteries. Made by the Reva company.