THOR Industries announced the execution of a binding memorandum of understanding with Germany’s ZF Friedrichshafen AG, which outlines the parties’ joint development of a proprietary high voltage electric drive system for towable RVs.
The development driven by THOR and ZF is designed to maintain, and possibly extend, the nominal range of an electric vehicle when towing a trailer.
Electric vehicles experience a significant reduction in range when towing any load, including a trailer. Unlike an ordinary trailer, a trailer equipped with the eTrailer System would be capable of moving utilizing its own power. Through its sophisticated technology, components and sensors, the trailer’s drive moves the trailer at the same speed of the tow vehicle, allowing an electric tow vehicle to pull the trailer with minimal loss of range.
The technology also has the potential to boost fuel efficiency of conventional tow vehicles with internal combustion engines or hybrid drivetrains. By reducing the load when pulled, conventional tow vehicles would burn less fuel and would also benefit from extended range.
In July, THOR companies Erwin Hymer Group and Dethleffs demonstrated the capabilities of this technology by using an electric Audi etron Sportback to tow an eTrailer System-equipped travel trailer prototype from Germany to Italy, over the Alps. The eTrailer System enabled the tow vehicle to pull the trailer 386 kilometers (approximately 240 miles) through the Alps on a single charge and with power remaining in the eTrailer System, as well as in the electric tow vehicle. Audi’s stated range for the tow vehicle is 393 kilometers.
Joint development between THOR and ZF has led to a concept travel trailer equipped with a prototype eTrailer System. The concept vehicle will be on display at the Tampa RV Supershow from Jan. 17-23, 2022.
“THOR is thrilled to enter into this partnership with ZF, a global technology company enabling next-generation mobility. The eTrailer System, which THOR, Erwin Hymer Group (EHG), and ZF have jointly developed over the last several years, is the only high voltage solution available in the RV space,” said Bob Martin, THOR president and CEO. “The significance of this technology, compared to other solutions in the space, is the dramatic effect it has on range and the potential for charge and power to both the tow vehicle and appliances in an RV. We believe that this technology is a game-changer, and through the work of our team, THOR is positioned to be the global leader of e-mobility solutions in the industry.”
Added Todd Woelfer, THOR’s chief operating officer: “When we acquired EHG in 2019, there were many synergies which made the acquisition important to THOR. From our perspective, EHG was the global leader in electrification innovation in the RV space. They had initiated this project with ZF in 2018, before we acquired the company. After the acquisition, THOR’s innovation team, led by our Chief Innovation Officer Josef Hjelmaker, helped lead the development and creation of the concept travel trailer. In addition to the concept trailer, powered by the eTrailer System, the innovation team will be unveiling an electric vehicle with range extension technology at the Tampa RV show.”
