Throughout this yr’s Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, legacy RV and motorhome producer Winnebago unveiled its all-electric, operational RV prototype referred to as the eRV2. This zero-emission RV developed from Winnebago’s eRV prototype and was used for check drives to get suggestions from shoppers earlier than it reached its remaining production-intent design. You must examine this factor out.
as Kleenex than tissue and Q-Tip to cotton swabs, the Winnebago is nearly synonymous with leisure automobiles (RVs). Whereas it has constructed RVs and motorhomes for many years that depend on fuel and diesel engines, the legacy model has a imaginative and prescient to discover a future the place electrical variations of its automobiles grow to be a actuality, and we respect that.
That mentioned, the corporate has a methods to go. Throughout the 2022 Florida RV SuperShow, Winnebago unveiled the eRV – an all-electric RV idea that actually begins its enterprise into zero emissions journey after a lower than profitable try at an EV platform again in 2018 .
The idea is constructed from the ever-popular Ford Transit platform, tailored by a well-recognized Lightning eMotors identify. It makes use of the automobile’s physique, chassis, and suspension, then is supplied with an 86 kWh battery that’s anticipated to ship 125 miles of vary and a charging time of 45 minutes on a DC quick charger.
Now, nearly a yr later to the day, Winnebago has hit the Tampa RV present once more with an all-electric encore referred to as the eRV2. It is nonetheless a prototype, but it surely’s practical, out there for check drives, and nearer to changing into an actual electrical RV choice for shoppers. Look.
Winnebago confirmed off the eRV2 electrical RV in Florida
The all-electric eRV2 made its debut in entrance of a crowd in Florida at present and might be on show this weekend. Constructed on the Ford E-Transit chassis much like its conceptual origins, this electrical RV presently has a printed vary of … 108 miles. Hmm.
Winnebago seems to bear in mind {that a} quantity is just too small for a manufacturing model of this RV, saying it’s “actively pursuing vary extension alternatives to incorporate in future industrial model.” Phew.
The motorhome specialist has collaborated with Lithonics Battery to create a proprietary “IonBlade” lithium home battery that might be highly effective and compact, with a 48V system able to greater than 15,000 usable watt-hours.
Each the powertrain and the home methods are powered fully by electrical energy, enabling as much as seven days of boondocking (tenting with none electrical energy, water, sewer connections). Winnebago says that is made attainable partly by the electrical RV’s 900-watt photo voltaic capability utilizing panels on its roof (seen above).
What concerning the content material? See for your self.
In the event you’re constructing a zero emissions leisure automobile, it is best that you simply promote sustainability as a lot as you’ll be able to all through. Inside Winnebago’s all-electric RV prototype, you will discover loads of recycled supplies together with flooring, mats, window trim, and even the WinnSleep mattress system. Cab seats have plant-based covers, whereas all acrylic counter tops are produced from biodegradable supplies. Good.
Winnebago seems to be off to a great begin right here with the eRV2 however admits it nonetheless must do vigorous discipline testing to find out the ultimate design of the electrical RV. Let’s not overlook that vary both, gang.
Nonetheless, the veteran firm acknowledges that there’s an exploding demand for all-electric journey, particularly within the giant van, RV phase. Winnebago president Huw Bower discusses the corporate’s progress and future objectives:
Our major objective in constructing the eRV2 is to assist folks comfortably discover the world round them with minimal environmental impression. The person expertise was central to the event of this prototype, within the early days of market analysis and even now because it undergoes discipline testing. The eRV2 embodies our pioneering heritage, representing not solely a breakthrough in design, innovation and sustainability, but in addition our dedication to steady improvement with altering client wants. and the world we share.
The eRV2 might be on show by way of January 22 on the Winnebago sales space (No. 760) on the Florida RV SuperShow. In the event you attend, we implore you to schedule a check drive and tell us what you suppose.
We hope to get into the electrical RV quickly and, who is aware of, possibly we’ll report from the manufacturing mannequin at subsequent yr’s RV present. Within the meantime, take a look at the total reveal video of the Winnebagos’ all-electric eRV2.
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