Exciting Possibilities Ahead: The Future of Electric RVs

Although there are significantly fewer electric RVs in production compared with the rapidly increasing number of electric cars, trucks, and motorcycles, the “EV” trend is still coming to the world of motorhomes. But are campers ready for this emerging technology? We’re exploring the future of electric RVs below.

Putting The GO in Winnebago

An icon in the RV industry, Winnebago started making electric RV headlines last year when they introduced their first eRV concept vehicle at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa.

At the same show this year, they unveiled the first fully operational, all-electric RV, the eRV2. This zero-emission vehicle is built on a Ford E-Transit chassis with batteries that run both the powertrain and the house systems.

According to Winnebago, the eRV2 features a 900-watt solar capacity that can provide up to seven days of boondocking. The 48V battery system that provides more than 15,000 usable watt hours was designed to lay flat so it can be stored beneath the flooring to maximize interior space.

On The Move

While boondocking is an attractive pastime for many serious and occasional campers, what about the power it takes to get the RV to where you want to go or between different destinations? And what about people who would rather travel in a Class A RV?

While a bigger RV presents a whole new challenge to the all-electric RV market because of their size and weight, Winnebago is working on it. They’re in the process of acquiring lithium-ion solutions provider Lithionics Battery to focus on the technological and engineering solutions they’ll need to “fuel” their electronic RV vision for the future.

Part Of The Process

It’s likely that larger motorhomes will take some time before electric versions go into full production. Following the sequence of events that electric cars took, we could potentially see a gas/electric hybrid on the market before an all-electric Class A RV hits the assembly lines. On the other hand, with lessons learned during the progression of electric cars and continuous improvements to batteries and fuel cells, it’s possible the hybrid phase of electric RVs will be completely bypassed.

Let The Competition Begin

As technology advances, manufacturers start seeing viability in electric RVs, and competition to pump out production models cranks up, we should start seeing more models and a greater selection of electric RVs in the near future.

We can safely assume that early models might be a bit expensive, but costs for both RVs and replacement batteries should come down over time. But when you consider how much fuel gas and diesel-powered RVs suck up, not to mention the harmful emissions they produce, the extra costs of the RVs will quickly outweigh the costs at the pump as well as the costs to the environment.

Also, since electric vehicles generally have fewer maintenance and repair costs, electric RV owners will be able to hold on to their rigs longer and get a better return on investment when they trade in their unit. Because of this, the extra initial cost of electric RVs can be minimized over time. 

Getting Charged Up

With all of that said, those wading into the early electric RV waters when they arise may still have concerns about battery charging times. Initial charging times from empty to full may take as long as 24 hours. But considering most RVers like to stay in designated campgrounds for at least a couple of days anyway, there are benefits to this. Plugging into a standard electrical connection will not only provide the electricity needed for your RV, it will also take the battery to full charge before you’re ready to hit the road again.

With new advances in technology, batteries may eventually evolve to be able to charge using solar power while you’re driving. Nonetheless, there will most likely be some fast-charge options

available as the infrastructure of charging stations improves across the nation. In fact, that’s supposed to be covered by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, initially passed in 2021 and currently being implemented across the country. This should provide RVers that have a long drive ahead with the peace of mind that they’ll be able to cover the distance without having to worry about being stuck on the side of the road in a lifeless vehicle.

If you’re currently in the market for a new or used RV while you eagerly await the first all-electric RV to hit production, check out RVTrader.com to browse our nationwide inventory. 

By Barrett Baker