Winnebago shows prototype of electric RV

powercat_ras · 01-17-2023, 08:12 PM

Winnebago is showing their prototype Electric RV at the Tampa FL RV Supershow this week. Ford provided a Electric Ford Transit Chassis that Winnebago has used to build a totally electric RV. The current version of the electric Transit chassis that Winnebago could build on would have range of 175 miles. The early Transit chassis that they got to prototype with has range of 125 miles.

They are letting media and dealers test drive it and give feedback today.

They claim a large percentage of potenial RV buyers can live with 175 mile driving range. Personally I'm not one of them.

All Electric - Winnebago

**macnut** · 01-18-2023, 09:57 AM

Yeah, that would be unbearable. Still glad they are exploring the technology.

powercat_ras · 01-18-2023, 05:52 PM

> 175 mile range ...

Big issue I see is that there are the limited places to fast charge for those times when travel of more than 175 miles in a day is needed.

Ford does say that it will have access to a network of public fast charging stations that can recharge to 80% in less than 1 hour, however it is going to take time to build out that network of stations in particular in rural areas. Also as more electric vehicles are being deployed, having to wait for a charging station to free up before you can start charging is becoming an issue, too.

All that said, 1 million electric cars and trucks were sold in the USA in 2022. I never would imagined that it would start being adopted that fast! Tesla sold more cars than Toyota did in the USA!

**creativepart** · 01-19-2023, 08:26 AM

We bought an all electric BMW i4 last year. The EPA gives it a 301 mile range and we see 250 to 270. My wife took it on one trip to visit a friend it was 130 mi each way. So theoretically doable with one charge.

It took some advanced planning and she charged to 100% the night before the trip. The car reported 270 mi range when she left but as she drove the range barely dropped due to her conservative driving. After the 130 mi trip there she had more than enough range to easily get home, but just for security sake she plugged into a 110 v outlet at her friend’s house overnight and returned home the next day with 40% charge remaining.

We’re in Tucson this month and the car is at home, but along I-10 there were Electrify America chargers every 100 miles or so. EA chargers will charge her BMW from 20% to 80% in about 20 minutes. Usually you can get 100 mi of range in about the time to fill up a car with gas.

The BMW comes with free 30 min charging at all EA chargers. So, theoretically again, we could drive from our home to Tucson on I-10. But straying far from major interstate highways would not be possible.

We charge at home with a 240v/50 amp charger (came with the car) but have used an EA fast charger twice… mostly for practice. It works as advertised taking 22 min to go from 37% to 95%.

Ray,IN · 01-21-2023, 10:37 AM

I read an article stating present actual mileage will be close to 108 on one recharge with a fully-loaded van.. IMO things will improve as battery technology moves to solid-state or Silicone batteries.

**Eagle5** · 01-21-2023, 10:43 AM

The best batteries are Silver & Zinc.
Too bad nothing larger than a hearing-aid battery is made.

FlyingV · 01-21-2023, 11:57 AM

Until there is an electric RV or trailer that has adequate power for my needs, I’ll continue to camp with the Ford F-150 Powerboost. It combines a nice daily driver and all the power I need when camping with our MM 2100BH. Just too convenient, efficient and quiet not to for the foreseeable future.

**creativepart** · 01-21-2023, 03:36 PM

We have a couple next to us in our campground right now that have a Rivian R1T pulling a 21’ Rpod trailer. It’s their first camping trip to shakedown the new TT and they live nearby so the don’t know what kind of range they can expect. They guess it will be half of the stated.

I need to ask about how they’ve done with charging at the KOA. When I first spoke to them they thought RVs were 240v 50 amp and were surprised to learn it’s two legs of 110/50.

powercat_ras · 01-21-2023, 07:18 PM

There's a YouTube post by a Rivian owner that did a max rated weight towing test and took it all the way down to zero miles remaining and he got 100 miles.

**creativepart** · 01-21-2023, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powercat_ras

There's a YouTube post by a Rivian owner that did a max rated weight towing test and took it all the way down to zero miles remaining and he got 100 miles.

Yeah, the owner told me that the Rpod only weighs 3600lbs so they are hoping for more. He said 1/2 the range and his wife said she thought it would be more like 1/3rd of the original range lost.

But they are brand new at it and had no real world experience yet.

jeb · 01-22-2023, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powercat_ras

Tesla sold more cars than Toyota did in the USA!

Not even close. Toyota sells WAY more than Tesla in the USA.
https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2021-u...ures-by-brand/

I have no love or hate of the EV market. We own a Prius V, and have for years. EV's can make sense, as a commuter, very local delivery, stuff like that. But until the energy storage issue is cracked, it's kind of a joke for mid to long range use.