Electrified Road Tripping And Camping: Winnebago And Thor Industries Developing Long-Range Electric RVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) captured 16% of the global market share in July — a 41% increase in global sales since July 2022, according to a CleanTechnica report.

As electric car sales grow and manufacturers anticipate meeting regulatory EV requirements, other vehicle segments like RVs are exploring electrification. 

Harbinger Motors and Thor Industries Inc. are planning to revolutionize camping with electric motorhomes that can travel 250 miles on a single charge. Harbinger specializes in electric commercial truck chassis while Thor Industries is one of the largest RV conglomerates. The companies teamed up to create a new Class 6 (19,501–26,000 pounds) motorhome with a Class A motorhome body. This means that the motorhome will ride on a transit bus-style chassis that runs on electric battery-provided power.

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Harbinger is taking a different approach to electric vehicle technology than other companies. It avoids using outsourced parts, instead developing its own scalable chassis suitable for a variety of applications, including motorhomes. Harbinger is also using an 800-volt architecture, which allows for more efficient and lightweight vehicles.

Harbinger's motorhomes should drive about 250 miles on a single charge, a significant improvement over other proposed models. Harbinger expects to start sending chassis to Thor next year. Thor's brands will take the chassis and build motorhome prototypes and eventually publicly available models. The companies hope to revolutionize camping with their electric motorhomes and build products that fit within the broader transition to renewable energy sources and electrified transportation and machinery. 

Another company transforming the RV industry through innovation is Wallabing, a peer-to-peer platform for RV owners and renters. It helps owners turn their RVs into income streams and gives renters flexible options for an RV that fits their needs. 

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Winnebago And Thor Off To The EV Races

Other RV producers are pushing toward an electric RV that appeals to customers. Winnebago, among the biggest names in RVs, launched the eRV2 all-electric prototype at the Florida RV SuperShow in January. Based on the Ford E-Transit van, the prototype features a range of up to 125 miles on a single charge and plugs into a standard household outlet. It offers a variety of amenities, including a kitchenette, wet bath, sleeping accommodations for two and ample storage space. Winnebago is conducting field testing with the eRV2 to receive and implement feedback from consumers and make necessary adjustments before it goes into production. The company expects to launch the eRV2 to the public in the next few years.

Thor is also developing the THOR Vision Vehicle, an electric RV that offers best-in-class range, design and digital features. The Vision Vehicle runs on a high-voltage battery pack and an integrated fuel cell, giving it a range of up to 300 miles. It features a variety of digital tools that make the RV experience more convenient and enjoyable, including a digital cockpit, power management system and advanced charging technology. The Vision Vehicle's power management system allows drivers to easily track their energy usage and manage their power resources. This helps to ensure that they always have enough power to stay on the road or camped out in the wilderness.

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