Australian Earthcruiser working with GMC on a Hummer

pnichols wrote:
Well, for recharging an EV PU camper, small EV Class B, or small EV Class C ... I wonder about how many 6-hours-of-high-sun days would it require to partially/fully recharge a 200kwh EV's battery bank using 16kw of solar power input out in the bush using a Rapid Roll "T" system that one tows along behind their RV?
https://renovagen.com/

I think that fits under the category of "large, robust array". But dragging along an additional 6000 lbs or so will also serve to increase the power demands on the rig to get back out of the bush.

^I wonder….lol.

Grit dog wrote:

rjstractor wrote:

pnichols wrote:
One aspect of an EV RV that I have not read anything about yet is ... what would be the possibility of somehow using onboard - plus large but still portable - solar arrays to recharge the EV's battery bank?

I suppose it's possible, but it would have to be a large, robust array. Boondocking needs like cooking, lighting, heating and cooling would be constantly in competition with EV charging for available solar energy.

Lol, yeah recharging a 200kwh battery out in the bush is obviously not practical. So it’ll be good for local day/ short weekend trips from the owners $3M ski condo in Vail or Telluride up to Red n White or maybe Imogene pass. (none of the more difficult trails from either starting point are in the wheelhouse of an Uber expensive heavy large, long pickup truck. And it will be a great conversation piece at parties.
No chance of it being a real off roader or actual overlanding rig as the base weight of over 9klbs and lack of payload (1300lbs) mean at will have to be VERY sparsely appointed with “overlanding” gear. And no overweight occupants…lol.

As long as everyone realizes that this wont be a viable RV, or actually a RV at all, until rooftop tents on pickups or a truck bed with a couple hammocks and a backpacking tent are considered RVs…..
I mean, no one makes actual overlanding rigs out of pickups that have less payload and range than any half ton typical pickup.

Well, for recharging an EV PU camper, small EV Class B, or small EV Class C ... I wonder about how many 6-hours-of-high-sun days would it require to partially/fully recharge a 200kwh EV's battery bank using 16kw of solar power input out in the bush using a Rapid Roll "T" system that one tows along behind their RV?
https://renovagen.com/

As long as everyone realizes that this wont be a viable RV, or actually a RV at all, until rooftop tents on pickups or a truck bed with a couple hammocks and a backpacking tent are considered RVs…..
I mean, no one makes actual overlanding rigs out of pickups that have less payload and range than any half ton typical pickup

It sounded at first like an April Fools joke. Then I realised it was not the first of Aoril. I have no idea where they are going with this. Whole concept sounds implausible

rjstractor wrote:

pnichols wrote:
One aspect of an EV RV that I have not read anything about yet is ... what would be the possibility of somehow using onboard - plus large but still portable - solar arrays to recharge the EV's battery bank?

I suppose it's possible, but it would have to be a large, robust array. Boondocking needs like cooking, lighting, heating and cooling would be constantly in competition with EV charging for available solar energy.

Lol, yeah recharging a 200kwh battery out in the bush is obviously not practical. So it’ll be good for local day/ short weekend trips from the owners $3M ski condo in Vail or Telluride up to Red n White or maybe Imogene pass. (none of the more difficult trails from either starting point are in the wheelhouse of an Uber expensive heavy large, long pickup truck. And it will be a great conversation piece at parties.
No chance of it being a real off roader or actual overlanding rig as the base weight of over 9klbs and lack of payload (1300lbs) mean at will have to be VERY sparsely appointed with “overlanding” gear. And no overweight occupants…lol.

As long as everyone realizes that this wont be a viable RV, or actually a RV at all, until rooftop tents on pickups or a truck bed with a couple hammocks and a backpacking tent are considered RVs…..
I mean, no one makes actual overlanding rigs out of pickups that have less payload and range than any half ton typical pickup.

Well, a breath of fresh air in that no one seems to be touting this new concept vehicle as saving the environment, carbon neutral or anything that is remotely fiscally responsible.
As long as it’s represented appropriately, a large, very expensive battery powered toy, it’s a step in the right direction.

pnichols wrote:
One aspect of an EV RV that I have not read anything about yet is ... what would be the possibility of somehow using onboard - plus large but still portable - solar arrays to recharge the EV's battery bank?

I suppose it's possible, but it would have to be a large, robust array. Boondocking needs like cooking, lighting, heating and cooling would be constantly in competition with EV charging for available solar energy.

pnichols wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
This is pretty well from left field
"This collaboration will look to leverage EarthCruiser’s renowned engineering expertise in the overland and off-road vehicle development space,” said GM.

“GMC and EarthCruiser have come together in their shared vision to develop top-tier, zero-compromise adventure vehicles, leveraging EarthCruiser’s engineering technologies that have resulted in unique and innovative self-contained living habitats, while keeping capability and agility at the forefront."
Well Earthcruiser has factories in Wollongong Australia and Oregon. Very interesting to see what sort of EV Class C comes out of this collaboratio
Link from Jalopnik
Earthcruiser to work EV Hummer Expedituon Vehicle

An interesting read in the link above!

However, the author's remark ... "So you’re looking at, maybe 250 miles max range?" would concern me too, even for merely boondock camping in the U.S., let alone in Africa, Australia, etc..

Our E450 based small Class C has around only a 450 mile give-or-take range with it's 55 gallon fuel tank - and that to me is the bare minimum I feel comfortable with for merely U.S. use. Of course our MH also needs some of those 55 gallons to run the A/C and recharge it's house batteries - unlike the EV based vehicle in the article.

One aspect of an EV RV that I have not read anything about yet is ... what would be the possibility of somehow using onboard - plus large but still portable - solar arrays to recharge the EV's battery bank?

We could carry along more fuel in Jerry Cans if we wanted to, so to me another (huge) attraction of an EV RV (in addition to it's non-polluting) ... would be an ability to be "refueled" out in the middle of nowhere.

Assuming one can tow a relatively light weight trailer behind an EV RV, here's maybe one way an EV RV might be able to be recharged over and over again out in the middle of nowhere:

Our E450 based small Class C has around only a 450 mile give-or-take range with it's 55 gallon fuel tank - and that to me is the bare minimum I feel comfortable with for merely U.S. use. Of course our MH also needs some of those 55 gallons to run the A/C and recharge it's house batteries - unlike the EV based vehicle in the article

Only time I agree with you. An Expedition vehicle with range anxiety? A contradiction in terms. Yes your E450 with a 450mi range would not get you far in Western Australia Northern Territory or greater parts of Queensland.
I do not know where GM and Earthcruiser are going on this, really baffling. Earthcruiser is one example of Australian EV companies and their Global clout. Quite a few others are making it in the US and elsewhere. Earthcruiser has very different vehicles in it's Australian site than what you see on their US Oregon site
Australian Earthcruiser site different vehicles

RobertRyan wrote:
This is pretty well from left field
"This collaboration will look to leverage EarthCruiser’s renowned engineering expertise in the overland and off-road vehicle development space,” said GM.

“GMC and EarthCruiser have come together in their shared vision to develop top-tier, zero-compromise adventure vehicles, leveraging EarthCruiser’s engineering technologies that have resulted in unique and innovative self-contained living habitats, while keeping capability and agility at the forefront."
Well Earthcruiser has factories in Wollongong Australia and Oregon. Very interesting to see what sort of EV Class C comes out of this collaboratio
Link from Jalopnik
Earthcruiser to work EV Hummer Expedituon Vehicle

An interesting read in the link above!

However, the author's remark ... "So you’re looking at, maybe 250 miles max range?" would concern me too, even for merely boondock camping in the U.S., let alone in Africa, Australia, etc..

Our E450 based small Class C has around only a 450 mile give-or-take range with it's 55 gallon fuel tank - and that to me is the bare minimum I feel comfortable with for merely U.S. use. Of course our MH also needs some of those 55 gallons to run the A/C and recharge it's house batteries - unlike the EV based vehicle in the article.

One aspect of an EV RV that I have not read anything about yet is ... what would be the possibility of somehow using onboard - plus large but still portable - solar arrays to recharge the EV's battery bank?

We could carry along more fuel in Jerry Cans if we wanted to, so to me another (huge) attraction of an EV RV (in addition to it's non-polluting) ... would be an ability to be "refueled" out in the middle of nowhere.