Winnebago Industries announced the industry’s first hybrid RV, a 2009 Winnebago Adventurer, provided to Brad and Amy Herzog for their summer travel tour.
The Herzogs, spokespersons for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), will be traveling in this concept hybrid RV this summer as they promote the benefits of RV travel.
Photo Credit: Winnebago
According to Winnebago, The Winnebago Adventurer hybrid rides on a Freightliner Custom Chassis’ ecoFRED chassis, the motor home industry’s first hybrid-electric chassis featuring Eaton hybrid power components. This is a full hybrid system in that it utilizes two independent power sources (a diesel engine and an electric motor) that work in conjunction to optimally power the vehicle.
The Adventurer hybrid also features regenerative braking for less brake wear. With regenerative braking, the hybrid electric motor uses electricity to create torque, while also being able to reverse the process to use torque to create electricity. By reversing its electric engine to become a generator, electricity is fed back into the battery resulting in energy savings.
“We are excited to be the first RV manufacturer to begin active testing of this hybrid technology,” said Winnebago Industries Vice President of Sales and Marketing Roger Martin. “This hybrid concept can bring many benefits including improved fuel efficiency in select driving environments, reduced noise and emissions, improved acceleration and reduced maintenance. We are proud to provide this hybrid concept vehicle to the Herzogs this summer for their tour as we continue to test the viability of hybrid technology in the RV industry.”
Source: Winnebago
0 Responses
Looks like a serious improvement for the environment; but it will most likely cost too much for the average RV owner to afford to trade into one of these. Still interesting to follow the results.
Boy great article written by a novice? HOW MANY MILES PER GALLON, that might have been a legitimate question.
This seems like putting nail polish on a pig. The hybrid tag on the RV makes a good statement, but I think downsizing and lightening up the total RV weight would make more sense.
Yes, sign us up! We have always diesel hybrid is the way to go. We own a diesel truck and a diesel vw jetta! Thanks, we would gladly test one for you! We can run on veggie oil too!
Yes, sign us up! We have always diesel hybrid is the way to go. We own a diesel truck and a diesel vw jetta! Thanks, we would gladly test one for you! We can run on veggie oil too!
I have also read six articles about this hybrid RV, each without mention of MPG.