It’s not but accessible on the market, however we simply check drove America’s First EV RV, and … it really works!
Granted, it solely will get 108 miles per cost. That has to get a lot better earlier than it goes into manufacturing, however already a fleet of 12 are on the highway and can be examined by actual RVers.
To a lot fanfare on the 2023 Florida RV Supershow in Tampa, Winnebago revealed its 2nd prototype of an all-electric RV – eRV2 as they name it.
Ultimately yr’s present, Winnebago confirmed an early model. However this prototype – on the Ford Transit chassis – is far more superior and, aside from the dismal vary, prepared for use.
To see a video of us testing this EV RV, click on the participant within the field beneath.
This EV RV Seems Sharp!
The very first thing you’ll discover concerning the eRV2 is how streamlined it seems to be. A financial institution of photo voltaic panels wraps from the roof over the curved entrance of the Transit. And the automobile itself sports activities a customized wrap depicting vanlife scenes and tenting actions.
Because it now could be, it’s also prepared for severe boondocking. Each the powertrain and the home methods are powered by electrical energy. Winnebago partnered with Lithionics Battery, which contains a 48V system with greater than 15,000 usable watt-hours. The photo voltaic panels have a 900-watt capability.
Winnebago says you possibly can run off grid, completely vitality impartial, for seven days off the present batteries. One of many check drivers I talked to stated it will probably even do a pair extra days added to that, supplied you weren’t utilizing the air conditioner.
However 108 Miles? Will the EV RV Vary Enhance
Sure. Winnebago is taking pictures for a three-hour drive time earlier than the eRV2 will must be charged. On the reveal occasion, firm execs would solely say that earlier than producing it on the market, that has to enhance.
Once I pressed a product supervisor after the reveal occasion on the present, he stated it’s projected to be prepared for commercialization and manufacturing in between two to 5 years.
However there are different issues they’ve to enhance, too. Proper now, it takes a minimal of two hours to totally recharge the battery, relying on the kind of charging system getting used.
Critically. Who can wait that lengthy?
Additionally, simply the place can or not it’s charged? To essentially be helpful to Rvers and campers, there must be EV chargers in campgrounds. Contemplating that the majority campgrounds all through North America can barely present sufficient dependable 30 and 50 amp energy by standard hookups to fulfill demand, large campground infrastructure enhancements must be made.
What’s it like driving an EV RV?
For starters, it’s quiet. As in most EVs, there is no such thing as a actual noise when driving. However in an RV – and the eRV2 is a totally functioning campervan – the engine silence is much more noticeable. Disarming at first. Then, refreshingly pleasant.
Acceleration may be very fast. I used to personal a gasoline engine RV on the Transit chassis. The acceleration may be very spectacular.
The RV a part of the eRV2 is normal. There’s a moist toilet and bathe. A small galley. A rear couch that makes into a big mattress. And two comfy dealing with chairs in entrance of the couch. Naturally, there’s AC, a furnace, a TV, and space for storing inside and out of doors the automobile.
Admittedly, our check drive was only for a few miles. But it surely was sufficient to provide us a really feel of what it might be like and we appreciated what we skilled.
On the Tampa RV Supershow, Winnebago gave comparable check drives to many others all week lengthy. The sensation everybody who drove one appeared to have is it felt pioneering. It was like a style of what the RV future can be like.
Personally, I feel we’re a great 10 years out from widespread use of EV RV journey. However it’s coming.
Sometime.
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