As CEO of Expion360, a company focused on lithium battery technology, I can remember, not so long ago, when power limited everyday RV consumers’ experiences.
Gone are the days when we would park for the night and hoped our power supply would still work in the morning. Since then, the industry has moved at light speed to adopt lithium power family solutions, giving all RVers more comfort, safety, convenience—and perhaps the best gift of all, time—while staying eco-friendly.
In this article, we will explore how lithium batteries and power systems are not just built to run off-grid air conditioners. Instead, they are fundamentally enhancing consumers’ everyday experiences in ways that once were unimaginable.
Lithium Power and Efficiency Trickle Down
Our industry makes lithium the standard power choice for more RVs annually. Dealers and suppliers stand ready to expand existing lithium power systems or to convert lead-acid batteries to lithium.
Many lithium benefits, including safety, efficiency and compact size in a lighter package, are available today in RVs that never would have included an advanced power system before 2020.
In addition to efficiency and weight, lithium batteries now have a significantly longer lifespan, often 10 years or more, with proper care. This longevity means fewer battery replacements and more time enjoying journeys away from home.
As lithium cell technology progresses, energy density within the same battery footprint puts OEMs in charge of powering everyday essentials. Consumers can use refrigerators, power stations for portable devices and electronics with less worry.
Because lithium batteries can manage deeper and more frequent charge and discharge cycles, the comforts of home can be within consumers’ reach when the road extends farther.
Lithium and Your Lifestyle
With fewer power restrictions, we can close our eyes and plan for the next trip.
Here is a small list of things we could do the next time nature or friends draw us out in our RVs.
- Stay an extra day or two.
- Explore farther off the beaten path.
- Exhale and let the silence and the stars envelop your senses.
- Expand the campsite farther away from where you park.
- Turn a picnic table into an outdoor theater.
- Barbeque at night.
- Work from an office with a magnificent view.
- Kick back in front of a fan in the middle of the desert.
The options now are limited only by our imaginations. Lithium technology enables us to push the boundaries of what is possible while remaining committed to enhancing RVers’ everyday experiences.
Whether a weekend getaway or a cross-country expedition, we believe the best adventures are those powered by innovation, sustainability and the spirit of exploration.
Lithium Systems Integration and Portability
At Expion360, we are developing smart battery systems to integrate seamlessly with mobile devices. These systems will enable RVers to easily monitor their power usage and manage their energy resources.
Innovations such as this empower RVers to make informed decisions about their energy consumption, ensuring they can maximize their experience without worrying about running out of power.
Portable power stations can now be integrated into an RV’s lithium power system. Portable power stations can move power from the RV to a campsite and even farther away. These power-dense, portable power stations can transport lithium’s benefits into an expanding adventure sphere.
Rapid Charging Options
Among the most significant advantages of lithium batteries is their ability to charge much faster than their lead-acid counterparts. For RVers, this means less time spent tethered to an electrical hookup and more time exploring. Whether consumers make a brief stop to recharge during a day’s adventures or top off batteries quickly from solar panel power while parked in the wilderness, lithium batteries get them back on the move faster.
Rapid charging is not just convenient. Getting RVers back on the road more quickly gives them new trip-planning possibilities. They can make fewer stops for power hookups, granting travel freedom and spontaneity previously difficult to achieve.
Stay Longer
Many RVers have a strong desire to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and explore the tranquility of nature. Lithium batteries significantly enhance off-grid capabilities by providing reliable, long-lasting power, even in remote locations.
By providing power in previously unreachable areas, RVers can run essential systems such as water pumps and lighting for extended periods without needing a power hookup.
When paired with renewable energy sources such as solar panels, lithium batteries create a sustainable, eco-friendly power solution to keep RVers self-
sufficient for days, or even weeks, depending on their energy usage, generation and storage.
The combination reduces RVers’ environmental impact during travel and provides a deeper connection with nature, leaving a minimal footprint behind.
Lithium batteries’ impact on the RVing experience extends far beyond keeping the lights on or the air conditioner running. Accessing power creates a comfortable, sustainable lifestyle that is more connected than ever before.
How will you use lithium-ion battery power storage solutions to enhance your RVing experience and enjoyment?
Brian Schaffner is Expion360’s CEO. He has 30-plus years of executive experience in a variety of capacities, including CEO, CFO, CIO and controller.
