Winnebago is taking a step closer to coming to market with its first all-electric RV, with its eRV2 concept debuting at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa this week.
It’s an update of the eRV the flagship brand of Winnebago Industries brought to the annual event a year ago, And, for 2023, folks who attend the SuperShow will be offered the chance to drive the prototype.
“Our primary goal in building the eRV2 was to help people comfortably explore the world around them with less environmental impact,” said Huw Bower, the president of Winnebago Outdoors.
Production planned “in the future”
Reaction from showgoers will influence the final design of the first all-electric RV which, Winnebago said, will go on sale sometime “in the future.”
The company won’t be alone. Several other RV manufacturers have also revealed battery-electric concepts lately, including Thor Industries which brought a self-propelled Airstream prototype to the Florida RV SuperShow last year. Industry watchers expect to see a number of electric RVs go on sale by mid-decade.
The original, 2022 Winnebago eRV concept was based on a standard Ford Transit van, its internal combustion engine swapped out for an electric drive unit. At the time, Winnebago officials estimated the prototype could yield as much as 125 miles per charge using an 86 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
Multiple power sources
The eRV2 migrates to the already electrified Ford E-Transit. It comes with a smaller 68 kWh pack which, according to Ford’s specs, would yield about 108 miles per charge.
But there’s also a second battery onboard to handle onboard “house” functions. Developed in partnership with Lithionics Battery, the 48-volt IonBlade design is tucked under the floor of the camper to minimize any intrusion into the E-Transit’s cabin space and offers 15 kWh of additional power.
Providing additional power, the eRV2 gets a 900-watt solar cell array.
Once parked, the various energy sources should provide enough energy to stay off the grid for as much as seven days, Winnebago said.
Production model will get better range
Like everyone else looking to go electric, the company also said its working to find ways to pack more juice into a future production model. Company officials have indicated a production model will deliver better range.
While Winnebago isn’t offering a specific timetable for production, it’s sending signals that this ”sustainable roadmap for the future” could come to market in the relatively near future.
“Our first fleet of prototypes are already out on the road,” said brand-boss Bower. “We’re putting our innovation to the test and challenging industry norms with six months of field testing, teaming up with everyday users in real-world situations to generate insights for improved durability and reliability.”
The eRV2 delivers 266 horsepower, 51 more than the earlier eRV concept. But torque drops by more than half, from 733 down to 317 pound-feet. And while range drops by 14%, the new concept model adds the ability to plug into a public quick charger, allowing it to go from 20% to 80% of battery capacity in as little as 45 minutes.
Winnebago isn’t alone
The push for all-electric recreational vehicles comes as the retail automotive market begins rolling out dozens of new models and, industry officials have said, RV buyers are expressing interest in reducing their environmental impact.
Last November, industry giant Thor announced an alliance with EV startup Harbinger Motors, it said, could lead to all-electric versions of Thor’s various RV lines, including products as big as Class A motorhomes.
The alliance, said Thor Chief Operating Officer Todd Woelfer, is “focused on developing an electrified RV ecosystem as we execute on THOR’s defined eMobility strategy.”
Ford and Mercedes, too
Ford recently introduced a new gas-powered camper based on the conventional, gas-powered Transit, the Transit Trail, and officials told TheDetroitBureau.com that they are working up a version based on the E-Transit.
Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled its own concept, the EQT Marco Polo. Based on its V-series vans, it features a pop-up roof, kitchenette and twin beds. And the automaker plans to bring it to market in some regions of the world later this year at a starting price of around $76,000.
