This stuff is interesting from a technology viewpoint, but they can count me out as a potential buyer. All I see are problems and maintenance that would offset the very purpose of ownership - to seek the enjoyment of modern camping. There doesn't even appear to be a slide-out on the unit in the video.
If you have a 500 miles range but 400 of those miles are powered by fossil fuels, the only thing green is the money you used to have. How does this comport with NZEV-compliance?
I expect this would require a major upgrade to my residential electrical service and reinforcing the parking area in my driveway. And, with the constant change in battery and charging technology, I'd be afraid of obsolescence before the first camping season was over.
I'm afraid that I'm a bit of a naysayer on this one. First of all, Thor ??? They currently sport the reputation of one of the LEAST reliable RV manufacturers extant.
Second, the complexity: the worst of all worlds, with a gasoline-engine system with all of its oil/coolant/exhaust demands and limitations; the EV propulsion system, with batteries, controllers, motors, etc.; and the constantly-running generator, 32F-senstiive batteries, and woefully inadequate solar panels.
Ancillary concerns: What's the GVW and CCC likely to be? And how will the speed and range be on the hills and headwinds?
Check out Edison Motors in Canada. Couple of loggers started building logging trucks in B.C. a few years ago. They also have some interesting videos on YT. Also are making some conversion kits for pickups.
This appears to be a Thor Vegas shape installed on a heavily modified Ford E-350/450 frame. (We own a 2018 Thor Vegas.)
Coupled with modest improvements in aerodynamics, solar systems, sidewall/roof construction/insulation, and evolution of HVAC systems, there appear to be advancements that could also be incorporated into new ICE-based motor homes.
I won't be an early adopter, but I like to see smart application of electrification. I no longer even read reviews of EVs with long range drives "I drove from Miami to New York and it only took 17 days!" since EVs & they infrastructure are just terrible for long drives.
Be sure to take a look at Edison Motors. They're a Canadian company that's developing a "drop in" diesel electric drive train for pickups.
Your summary was spot on. But one question where is the common sense in pushing a technology that has yet proven the expense in building it and operating it. Just let them do their R&D and if and when the technology proves itself then make it offered to the public, and let the public say yes of no.
I wonder if the drive train batteries will also be the house batteries. The battery chemistry drive train have a different chemical makeup than the LIPO4 batteries used in RV house batteries. Will this difference create safety issues. Like all new technologies, lots of questions to answer.
Mike, thanks for sharing this story about the first hybrid class A motorhome! It’s quite exciting to hear that a hybrid motorhome may become a reality. The technology seems straightforward given how long hybrids have been around. I’m wondering if it was just cost that led them to choose a gasoline engine vs the alternatives (diesel, propane, or propane with fuel cells). I assume it has regenerative breaking which would help the range a lot in city driving. I also wonder if it’s all-electric or if they use gasoline or propane to heat which would lessen the drain on the batteries. It will really be fun to see the video they make about this when it comes in the market :)
This stuff is interesting from a technology viewpoint, but they can count me out as a potential buyer. All I see are problems and maintenance that would offset the very purpose of ownership - to seek the enjoyment of modern camping. There doesn't even appear to be a slide-out on the unit in the video.
If you have a 500 miles range but 400 of those miles are powered by fossil fuels, the only thing green is the money you used to have. How does this comport with NZEV-compliance?
I expect this would require a major upgrade to my residential electrical service and reinforcing the parking area in my driveway. And, with the constant change in battery and charging technology, I'd be afraid of obsolescence before the first camping season was over.
I'm afraid that I'm a bit of a naysayer on this one. First of all, Thor ??? They currently sport the reputation of one of the LEAST reliable RV manufacturers extant.
Second, the complexity: the worst of all worlds, with a gasoline-engine system with all of its oil/coolant/exhaust demands and limitations; the EV propulsion system, with batteries, controllers, motors, etc.; and the constantly-running generator, 32F-senstiive batteries, and woefully inadequate solar panels.
Ancillary concerns: What's the GVW and CCC likely to be? And how will the speed and range be on the hills and headwinds?
Suffice it to say, I'm not likely to be a fan.
I’ll reserve judgement until I get to peek under the hood and do a test drive. Should be informative!
Check out Edison Motors in Canada. Couple of loggers started building logging trucks in B.C. a few years ago. They also have some interesting videos on YT. Also are making some conversion kits for pickups.
Mike,
I, too, find this exciting and interesting.
This appears to be a Thor Vegas shape installed on a heavily modified Ford E-350/450 frame. (We own a 2018 Thor Vegas.)
Coupled with modest improvements in aerodynamics, solar systems, sidewall/roof construction/insulation, and evolution of HVAC systems, there appear to be advancements that could also be incorporated into new ICE-based motor homes.
I won't be an early adopter, but I like to see smart application of electrification. I no longer even read reviews of EVs with long range drives "I drove from Miami to New York and it only took 17 days!" since EVs & they infrastructure are just terrible for long drives.
Be sure to take a look at Edison Motors. They're a Canadian company that's developing a "drop in" diesel electric drive train for pickups.
Good Article, thanks Mike.
Your summary was spot on. But one question where is the common sense in pushing a technology that has yet proven the expense in building it and operating it. Just let them do their R&D and if and when the technology proves itself then make it offered to the public, and let the public say yes of no.
I wonder if the drive train batteries will also be the house batteries. The battery chemistry drive train have a different chemical makeup than the LIPO4 batteries used in RV house batteries. Will this difference create safety issues. Like all new technologies, lots of questions to answer.
I’m pretty sure I know the answer to your question, but I’ll need to verify the battery chemistry with Harbinger and Thor.
Exorbitantly expensive and poor quality no doubt.
Mike, thanks for sharing this story about the first hybrid class A motorhome! It’s quite exciting to hear that a hybrid motorhome may become a reality. The technology seems straightforward given how long hybrids have been around. I’m wondering if it was just cost that led them to choose a gasoline engine vs the alternatives (diesel, propane, or propane with fuel cells). I assume it has regenerative breaking which would help the range a lot in city driving. I also wonder if it’s all-electric or if they use gasoline or propane to heat which would lessen the drain on the batteries. It will really be fun to see the video they make about this when it comes in the market :)