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Tag: electric RVs

  • Electric RV News: Industry Confident Despite Uncertain Market

    Electric RV News: Industry Confident Despite Uncertain Market

    While EV sales have declined, electric RVs are slowly marching forward, with two manufacturers making the news in recent weeks. Harbinger Motors, based in Garden Grove, California, has begun production of their electric commercial truck chassis, which was the basis of Thor’s plug-in hybrid Class A prototype that was demonstrated at the 2024 Elkhart Dealer Open House.

    Conversely, GM has temporarily paused production of its Brightdrop electric delivery van. The Brightdrop has found favor with a few boutique RV makers who convert the vans to RVs. But sales are sluggish, with GM reporting only 274 units sold in total in the first quarter of 2025.

    Thor Prototype Previews Future Electric RVs


    At its open house last year Thor Motor Coach had a prototype motorhome based on the Harbinger chassis on a test track for journalists and RV dealers to try out. The vehicle itself looked very much like other Thor motorhomes, which are based on a Ford truck chassis. Other than a very unusual paint job, the Thor prototype resembled a Thor A.C.E. and was about the same size.

    To address the range anxiety commonly associated with EVs, an on-board gasoline engine extends the estimated range of the vehicle from 150 miles with a fully-charged battery alone to up to 500 miles. The ample battery capacity means equipment like kitchen appliances, the air conditioner, and such can all be run from the battery, without relying on a generator, similar to the Pebble Flow.

    My experience driving the prototype reminded me of the difference between driving an electric car and a gas-powered one. The motorhome offered reasonable acceleration and good overall performance; the handling was notable for being able to maneuver in the tight test course and navigate very tight turns – much tighter than one might expect a vehicle of this size to be able to handle.

    GM BrightDrop RV Sales Sluggish Despite Promise


    GM’s BrightDrop commercial van has had trouble finding traction with customers thus far, but there is at least one RV company that’s seen its potential for camper van conversions. RV maker Grounded bases their Zevo motorhome on the BrightDrop, promising 270 miles of range. Part of the RV upfit includes adding 1,000 watts of solar and adding an rail-based modular system to the interior that allows customers to fit and retrofit components like a shower, seating, or storage according to their present needs.

    Electric vehicles face a perennial chicken-and-egg problem between sales volumes and infrastructure: Drivers of EVs often report problems with a lack of charging stations – or ones that are out of service; on the other hand, there isn’t a big enough customer base to justify building out a more robust charging network, their operators claim. Though the benefits to RVing are obvious: quieter operation, less air pollution at campgrounds, extended off-grid autonomy, with the drastic ebb and flow of funding and public faith, the future of electric motoring is uncertain, but not without promise.

  • Game-Changing Pebble Flow Electric Travel Trailer Enters Production

    Game-Changing Pebble Flow Electric Travel Trailer Enters Production

    The Pebble Flow electric travel trailer has begun production at the startup’s 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Fremont, California, with initial deliveries of the top-flight Founders Edition version expected before the end of June.

    Pebble founder and CEO Bingrui Yang spoke about the company reaching production and what it means for the entire recreational vehicle industry as a whole:

    “RVing has long been full of hassles – stressful towing, difficult parking, and maneuvering. We built the Pebble Flow to remove those barriers and look forward to seeing our first customers take the Pebble Flow on the road soon.”

    Electric Drive Motors Aim to Improve Towing, Setup, and Pack Up

    The Pebble aims to solve common RV pain points via a pair of electric drive motors. While underway, the motors are designed to reduce tow effort by participating in acceleration and deceleration, though the company still recommends a tow vehicle rated for its full GWVR of 6,800 lb. 

    At your destination, the trailer uses those same electric drive motors and a custom app to enable owners to unhitch the trailer and park it without using the tow vehicle. On departure, it can guide itself to the tow vehicle and hitch itself to the ball coupler. The only human intervention necessary is detaching and attaching the safety chains, brake cable, and seven-pin connector.

    To power the Flow’s electric motors and electronics, it’s equipped with a 45-kWh battery pack. For reference, that’s a little bigger than the battery pack of a Fiat 500e or about three-quarters of the one in a Tesla Model Y. A tow vehicle with an internal combustion engine should in theory achieve the same mileage as without a trailer – until the battery runs out of charge. The company estimates that a long-range EV towing the Pebble Flow could reach a maximum range of 250 miles – about 100 miles or 66 percent more range than the 150 miles that the F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1S achieve in real-world towing tests.

    The Flow can recharge via AC or DC charging (1 hour from empty to full on Level 3 fast-charging). There’s also a standard 1.1-kW solar array and, when equipped with the electric motors, regenerative braking – which also reduces wear on the tow vehicle’s drivetrain.

    The Pebble Flow is currently available to order and customize with a fully refundable $500 deposit. Some customers may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $10,000. The Pebble Flow Standard – which curiously forgoes the hallmark electric motors – starts at $109,500, while the Pebble Flow Founders Edition currently in production starts at $175,000.

  • Exciting Possibilities Ahead: The Future of Electric RVs

    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

  • Breaking Down Your Number 1 Concern with Electric RVs: Range & Infrastructure

    Breaking Down Your Number 1 Concern with Electric RVs: Range & Infrastructure

    September 9th is World Electric Vehicle (EV) Day, a day that celebrates sustainable mobility and changes coming to EV industries. Despite the special occasion, some campers are hesitant to consider electric RVs.

    RV Trader recently held a survey on social media, asking our followers their number one concern with electric RVs. Participants answered that a lack of range and infrastructure to support these vehicles was their main point of skepticism. To help RVers fully understand electric RVs, we’re breaking down your primary concern while providing insights into what improvements are being made. And for more information about electric vehicles, visit our EV Resource Page.

    When we asked “What do you think is the biggest issue with electric RVs?” we received thousands of responses, with most RVers sharing feedback like this: 

    “We don’t have the power grid to support them.”

    “Initially range; then aged battery fatigue; battery replacement cost, and impossible battery recharge from an overburdened electrical grid.”

    “Lack of adequate infrastructure.”

    “You would need a charging station every 50–100 miles.”

    “Range, battery degradation over time.”

    “Trees don’t have outlets.”

    Previously we’ve covered the benefits of electric RVs, including their innovative designs, low maintenance, and how they’re an eco-friendly alternative, among other advantages. However, the market is still in the early stages of developing electric RVs, noticeably lagging behind other EV industries, partly due to vehicle size and infrastructure needed. Yet public concern about the effect of greenhouse gasses from gas-powered vehicles is incentivizing manufacturers to develop more EVs to meet the interests of an expanding consumer base.

    Electric RVs are starting to appear on the market, though many are still in their early phase of development. Bloomberg recently reported that Winnebago is developing an electric RV, or eRV that can reach a 125-mile range. Meanwhile, Thor has introduced eRV concepts using a lithium-ion battery pack, hydrogen fuel cell, and solar roof to reach 300 miles before needing a recharge. Green Car Reports shared that Thor’s electric RV meets an expectation that RVers have that they would like to be able to travel 5–6 hours from home before needing to recharge a battery.

    Charging stations for electric RVs are becoming more evident at RV parks and fueling stations, but still aren’t widespread. On-board, portable hydrogen fuel-cell systems would mitigate the issue involving a lack of charging infrastructure for EVs, but distributing these fuel cells could be difficult. Aside from this, there remains a gap in the market for larger types of electric RVs, including motorhomes and fifth-wheels.

    All of this said, the RV industry is starting to make headway when it comes to improving EV infrastructure, and even beyond the early electric RV concepts. Support is coming from manufacturers, dealers, RV organizations, the government, and RVers that are eager to purchase EVs as they become more accessible in the market.

    The RV Industry Association and the Federal Highway Administration are showing their support for developing and building a national network of charging stations for electric RVs by utilizing grant and incentive programs provided by local and state governments. This is part of the effort to promote and ensure Americans have access to outdoor spaces while supporting new electric technology with RVs and other vehicles, and reducing harmful carbon emissions.

    These infrastructure improvements, which would improve accessibility for electric RVs, would help increase the visitation to America’s campgrounds and parks, which already contribute $689 billion to the U.S. economy and support 4.3 million jobs. The state allocation of funds from these incentive programs would improve electric grid systems for RVs, supporting a broader infrastructure for you to enjoy the great outdoors and travel further. Recipients of these funds would include private campgrounds and dealerships.

    When you combine this with an increase in demand from the public for EVs in the market, manufacturers have plenty of opportunity to capitalize and develop vehicles with greater charging ranges. This also implies that as the EV market expands, there will be a higher availability of charging stations and longer lasting batteries.

    Right now, it’s understandable to have concerns about the current limitations with EVs in comparison to their fuel-powered counterparts. But as World EV Day approaches, it’s worth considering the improvements being made. When you look at the many advantages these vehicles present, and the direction the world of RVing is headed, the future looks bright for electric.

    If you’re ready to purchase your next new or used RV, be sure to shop from all the nationwide listings on RVTrader.com.

  • 4 Electric RV Concepts Shaping a More Efficient Camping Future

    4 Electric RV Concepts Shaping a More Efficient Camping Future

    One day, in the near future, we’ll be able to take weekend getaways in an RV without fueling up. In addition to being more eco-friendly, there are several benefits of electric RVs. While this is an emerging trend in the industry, demand is growing and popular manufacturers are developing concepts for fully electric campers. As more brands and RVers think green, RV Trader has detailed four electric RV concepts that are shaping a more efficient camping future.

    1. Airstream eStream

    The Airstream eStream was first revealed in January 2022. This all-electric travel trailer utilizes groundbreaking technology and advanced aerodynamics to keep you traveling longer and farther. The eStream is powered by an automotive-grade, high-voltage battery bank that also energizes the in-vehicle appliances. 

    This is set to be Airstream’s most aerodynamic travel trailer, with advanced sensors and stability controls so you won’t need a weight distribution hitch. Future owners will even be able to move the eStream toward a tow vehicle using remote-control technology.

    Embracing the concept of a “home on wheels,” the eStream features in-vehicle technology and systems that provide the comforts of home. Even when you’re camping far from a charging station, you’ll still be able to use your RV’s appliances with the help of an expansive solar rooftop, as opposed to a loud generator.

    2. SylvanSport Leading the Charge

    Aptly named “Leading the Charge,” SylvanSport is developing what they’re calling “the first fully electric production RV.” This vehicle, set to launch later this year, is equipped with AWD military-grade axles to tackle off-road terrain when you’re camping.

    The zero-emission adventure RV will have a class-leading range of up to 400 miles, powered by liquid-cooled permanent magnet AC motors. Despite its large size, weighing in at 14,000 pounds, this vehicle supports DC fast charging so you can get on the road quicker.

    Inside, this RV will have a small kitchenette and, based on renderings, a makeshift bedroom. The exterior is outfitted with racks that can hold a pair of kayaks or canoes.

    SylvanSport electric
    Image: SylvanSport

    3. THOR Vision Vehicle

    At the 2022 Florida RV SuperShow, THOR Industries revealed a concept for the Vision Vehicle electric motorhome. The THOR Vision Vehicle is classified as a slightly large Class B RV, which is just smaller than a Class C. This electric motorhome was designed to accommodate all types of RVers.

    The THOR Vision Vehicle features a 300-mile range, powered by a high-capacity battery pack and integrated fuel cell. THOR’s digital tools allow you to easily keep track of how many miles you have before your next charge. You can recharge at one of the existing (electric vehicle) EV charging stations, including the 240-volt service outlets that many campsites have, and conveniently locate nearby charging stations from your phone.

    The THOR Vision Vehicle encourages off-the-grid camping thanks to a 1,500-watt solar roof to help keep your vehicle batteries charged. The manufacturer claims that campers will be able to unplug for up to seven days, while still using all of the RV’s appliances.

    4. Winnebago e-RV

    In January 2022, Winnebago revealed the concept for an all-electric motorhome. The e-RV has been in development for over two years. This will be a fully functional, zero-emission motorhome that utilizes an advanced drivetrain and battery system to also power the RV’s living areas.

    The in-vehicle appliances, including the water heater, air conditioner, induction cooktop and refrigerator, are designed to optimize energy usage and battery performance. Winnebago prioritized using eco-friendly and sustainable materials throughout the e-RV, such as recycled cork-rubber flooring and woolen wall appliques that enhance insulation.

    Flexible battery charging allows you to recharge at dedicated charging stations, as well as at home and campgrounds. The e-RV will be able to fully charge at high-current charging stations in about 45 minutes.

     

    With rising gas prices and a growing demand for more clean, sustainable travel, electric RVs are the future of the industry. These four recent concepts could change the way we camp and road trip, reducing our carbon footprint along the way.

    If you’re shopping for an RV, browse the nationwide inventory of new and used models on RVTrader.com.

  • 5 Benefits of Electric RVs

    5 Benefits of Electric RVs

    There’s been a lot of excitement over electric RVs coming to the market. With concerns over climate change, fuel prices, and reducing your carbon footprint, electric RVs offer an eco-friendly alternative. Earlier this year, Winnebago and Thor revealed their new concept models powered by electricity instead of fuel to eliminate harmful carbon emissions. And while those models aren’t yet available, you can expect them to roll out soon. To get a better idea of what the future of RVing may look like, here are RV Trader’s five benefits of electric RVs.

    1. Electric RVs Have Innovative Designs

    Prototype electric RVs feature cutting-edge technology that makes them both eco-friendly and enjoyable for camping or roadtrips. Here are a few new ones coming to the market, possibly by 2023:

    • Winnebago eRV: Winnebago’s completely electric, zero-emission eRV concept is a class B camper van with appliances such as a fridge, water heater, and stovetop all running on electricity. This RV can even be controlled from a tablet or smartphone app.
    • Thor Vision and Airstream eStream: Thor recently revealed two new prototypes. Their Vision vehicle concept is a class B+ motorhome hybrid with an electric battery and fuel cell. Their electric Airstream travel trailer eStream concept is fashioned like a vintage silver bullet. It can be operated by its owner using a remote, and its tow lights sync up automatically with your vehicle.

    2. Electric RVs Are Going Further

    These new RV prototypes run on rechargeable batteries that are taking these vehicles further distances. Winnebago’s eRV can reach nearly 125 miles before it needs to be recharged. Meanwhile, the smaller Vision concept by Thor can reach up to 300 miles on a single charge. Since this is new technology, you can only expect to reach further distances in the future as the industry makes the move to electric.

    3. Electric RVs Are More Accessible

    These prototypes allow you to charge your electric RV’s battery at plug-in stations. You could do this from the convenience of your own home garage, rather than having to make a run to a filling station. Plus, more RV parks are putting in their own charging stations, and National Parks like Zion and the Grand Canyon are doing the same. And with your RV fully charged, you won’t have to find hookups or use a propane tank, instead, you have a power source readily available for your fridge, hot water, and heat.

    4. Less Maintenance and Repairs with Electric RVs

    Less vehicle parts means less routine RV maintenance and repairs with these electric vehicles. You can expect these vehicles to do away with a lot of mechanical parts you currently find with RVs, which gives you less to worry about as an RV owner. Plus, in addition to your fuel savings, this will prevent any unexpected costs from fixing your vehicle when something goes wrong.

    5. Electric RVs Are Eco-Friendly

    While there are a number of ways to go green while RVing, electric RVs will be a big step when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. These vehicles will use renewable energy and eliminate harmful carbon dioxide emissions when you travel. And using your self-sufficient electric RV on a camping trip is one more way you can feel connected with the great outdoors.

    While the industry is still in the early stages of developing electric RVs, you can expect more to come in the near future. In addition to Winnebago and Thor, other top brands including Volkswagen, SylvanSport, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan are currently looking to design vehicles for the electric RV market and potentially release their own eco-friendly RVs. If you’re shopping for a new or used RV, be sure to see a nationwide selection on RVTrader.com!