Winnebago first with Electric vehicle on motorhome platform

[John___Angela]

To be clear before anyone balks at the limited range, Winnebago is not marketing these as Motorhomes but rather as command and control vehicles, operations control etc. But it is interesting to see the Motorhome platform as an electric vehicle. Probably a few years away from a 500 km range but you have to start somewhere. Interesting article. I don’t have the link for the Winnebago website but it’s easy to find.

https://electrek.co/2018/05/02/winnebago-all-electric-rv-platform-electric-motorhome/

[DrewE]

John & Angela wrote:

Ivylog wrote:
With all of a 150 mile range before needing to recharge for hours it would take me 10 days to get to CO instead of the 2 using diesel. Electric vehicles are best when you have stop and go driving like city buses that recharge the batteries when stopping.

Yes but this is not a motorhome, nor is it being marketed as such. These are marketed as command and control vehicles etc. I don't think it would be hard to make an electric motorhome with reasonable range with todays technology, but the charging infrastructure would be inconvenient presently. Charging at 50 amp RV sites although possible would be less than ideal for those who are just overnighting. Man of the CCS and Chademo sites are too small for a motorhome to get into them without blocking access to EVers. It will all develop in the next 5 or 7 years. The first comobos will be Tesla semis pulling large fifth wheels. Again though, they will need to disconnect for supercharger access.

Precisely. A bookmobile or mammogramobile, etc. isn't going to need to travel across the country in general. These will generally be recharging overnight at "home" in whatever application they're used for, and wandering over a fairly limited area.

Although, it seems to me, this is exactly the sort of use where an electric vehicle is perhaps the least beneficial--you have little savings in fuel when you don't need to drive very far. Maybe the maintenance benefits and especially tax and publicity benefits make up for that. Maybe some will also be able to use the main battery bank for what we would call house loads and avoid needing a generator or external power connection to provide books or cancer screening or emergency services coordination.

[John___Angela]

Ivylog wrote:
With all of a 150 mile range before needing to recharge for hours it would take me 10 days to get to CO instead of the 2 using diesel. Electric vehicles are best when you have stop and go driving like city buses that recharge the batteries when stopping.

Yes but this is not a motorhome, nor is it being marketed as such. These are marketed as command and control vehicles etc. I don't think it would be hard to make an electric motorhome with reasonable range with todays technology, but the charging infrastructure would be inconvenient presently. Charging at 50 amp RV sites although possible would be less than ideal for those who are just overnighting. Man of the CCS and Chademo sites are too small for a motorhome to get into them without blocking access to EVers. It will all develop in the next 5 or 7 years. The first comobos will be Tesla semis pulling large fifth wheels. Again though, they will need to disconnect for supercharger access.

[time2roll]

I often read threads about how far to drive in a day and there are plenty that go about 200/250 miles max. This first version of an electric MH is not going to work well for long distance travel. Need a solid 300 miles and I think we will see it in 5 to 8 years when I am ready to retire. Will not work for the long haulers even at 300 miles but will work for many.

[Ivylog]

With all of a 150 mile range before needing to recharge for hours it would take me 10 days to get to CO instead of the 2 using diesel. Electric vehicles are best when you have stop and go driving like city buses that recharge the batteries when stopping.

[John___Angela]

SidecarFlip wrote:

kmb1966 wrote:
interesting research.
We have a Chevy Volt (electric/gas series hybrid) and really like it.

My buddy has a Volt. Limited Range especially in cold weather when you run the heater.

Now, my cousin has a Tesla X, good range, goes like greased lightning and cost well over 130 grand. One nice thing about the X is the juice is free at Tesla Supercharging stations.

Yah they are nice vehicles. The free charging is no longer available for those buying now although it was a great incentive for the first adapters.

We both drive full electric and they suit our needs well but of course different folks have different needs.

I wonder who Winnebago is working with in terms of the technology. I didn't see it mentioned anywhere.

[Lwiddis]

Sidecar, limited range on battery. Unlimited on gas.

[SidecarFlip]

kmb1966 wrote:
interesting research.
We have a Chevy Volt (electric/gas series hybrid) and really like it.

My buddy has a Volt. Limited Range especially in cold weather when you run the heater.

Now, my cousin has a Tesla X, good range, goes like greased lightning and cost well over 130 grand. One nice thing about the X is the juice is free at Tesla Supercharging stations.

[Lwiddis]

Let the doubters balk. It’s a start, a wonderful beginning. Our DD and her husband love their two Chevy Volts.

[time2roll]

https://winnebagoind.com/products/specialty-vehicles/2019/commercial-shells/overview

[kmb1966]

interesting research.
We have a Chevy Volt (electric/gas series hybrid) and really like it.