It shows the future of RV electrification and connectivity.
The automakers are keen to make electric vehicles a reality, but there are other modes of transportation that are on the horizon. This includes motorhomes, RVs, and campervans. Winnebago shows us a glimpse of the future with its new eRV concept. This year’s Florida RV Super Show will be the debut of the new motorhome. It was developed by Advanced Technology Group over a period of two years.
Ashis Bhattacharya is Winnebago Industries’ senior vice-president of enterprise marketing and business development. He stated that “Consumer demand drives electric power applications across many fields, and we believe RV customers are poised to profit from the enhanced features, usability, and usability that electrified, connected RV products will offer.”
Fully functional, the all-electric eRV concept has an 86-kilowatt hour battery that provides up to 125 miles range and also powers the onboard systems. The company claims that this range will be sufficient to accommodate 54% of RV buyers who travel less than 200 miles. The future will bring more range thanks to the advancements in battery technology.
The concept is based on a modified Ford Transit platform with an electrical power system from Lightning eMotors. The system controls the powertrain, vehicle controls, and living quarters. Winnebago estimates that a charge takes approximately 45 minutes at high-current charging stations.
Winnebago combines the all-electric platform and energy-optimized appliances like the 110-volt AC power for the slide out induction cooktop, as well as the marine-grade fridge. The roof-mounted AC conditioner and water heater are powered by 350-volt DC power.
The e-RV’s eco-friendly attitude goes beyond its vehicle and powertrain. Winnebago states that many of the RV’s materials have been selected with sustainability in consideration, such as the recycled corkrubber flooring. Winnebago also uses woolen wall-applices for wall insulation.
The e-RV concept is still in its infancy. Winnebago created its Advanced Technology Group in 2019, to study how emerging technologies like electrification could be used to benefit future products. The e-RV, the group’s first product to be made public, combines connectivity and electrification into a next-generation product.