THE WORLD’S FIRST HYBRID CLASS A MOTORHOME
It’s powered by an electric motor and battery that’s recharged by a gasoline engine and generator while being driven
Everyone,
Two years ago at the Detroit Auto Show I was able to interview Harbinger about their EV commercial truck chassis. And one of our points of discussion was about what it would take to bring EV technology to Class-A motorhomes.
The problem with an all electric RV is the serious loss in driving range from the weight and wind drag of a motorhome. The solution would be to add a gasoline engine and generator to recharge the batteries while driving, which would increase the driving range. The promise of this Hybrid motorhome is a 500 mile combined gas/electric range which would seem to be very reasonable, except for some long-range driving. And we still don’t know how cold weather will affect the driving range of this technology.
Easing Range Anxiety
“Developed in collaboration with Harbinger Motors, a leader in medium-duty EV innovation, the hybrid chassis is powered by an electric motor and battery system that is recharged by a low-emissions gasoline range extender while being driven. Roof top solar panels also feed the batteries. The chassis can be configured with three to six 35kWh batteries. This clever system delivers an estimated 500 miles of range, alleviating range anxiety and delivering ultimate travel freedom and sustainability.”
So, I don’t know very many details yet, except for what Thor Industries has published. And there’s no information on possible price or availability. But I’ll see if I can get an interview with Thor and Harbinger this spring or summer, and maybe a test drive.
Read the full article from Thor Industries HERE.
Please leave your comments below
I know the electrical grids of campgrounds are already stretched to the limit. And we still have issues sourcing enough raw materials for EV batteries and the electric power to charge them. A hybrid gas/electric RV seems like a possible solution in the near future, but the price will likely be pretty steep.
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 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.