Winnebago will reveal a fully operational prototype of its all-electric, zero-emission RV at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, which begins today.
Known as the eRV2, the prototype emerged from Winnebago Industries’ original eRV concept vehicle, which debuted at the same event last year. The company said the eRV2 is the most advanced all-electric, zero-emission RV. It has begun rigorous field testing with everyday consumers to provide insights that will inform the eRV2’s final design before hitting dealerships in the future. In addition, show attendees in Tampa this week will have the opportunity to test drive the eRV2 on-site and share their feedback with the company.
“Our primary goal in building the eRV2 was to help people comfortably explore the world around them with less environmental impact,” said Huw Bower, president of the Winnebago brand. “The user experience was at the heart of this prototype’s development, through the early days of market research and even now as it goes through field testing. The eRV2 embodies our pioneering legacy, representing not only an achievement in design, innovation and sustainability, but also our commitment to continuously evolve with the changing needs of consumers and the world we share.”
Features and Benefits of the eRV2:
- It’s America’s first all-electric, zero-emission motorhome prototype, the company said.
- Both the powertrain and house systems are powered by electricity, allowing for silent and environmentally responsible travel, and up to seven days of boondocking, aided in part by 900-Watt solar capacity.
- It’s built on a Ford E-Transit chassis. The current generation of this chassis has a published range of 1081 miles, well-suited for a pilot program. Winnebago is actively pursuing range extension opportunities to incorporate into a future commercial version.
- Winnebago partnered with Lithionics Battery to create a proprietary IonBlade lithium house battery which it said is the most powerful, compact and safe lithium battery system available today. It features a 48-volt system with more than 15,000 usable watt-hours, and a unique thin lay-flat design stored beneath the floor to maximize interior space. It meets the highest safety standards with UL safety certification No.1973.
- The eRV2 is sustainably designed to further reduce the impact on the environment.
- Recycled materials are used extensively throughout the interior, including in the flooring, removable floor mats, WinnSleep mattress system and trimming around the window frames.
- Cab seat coverings are made with renewable plant-based materials.
- Acrylic countertops are made from biodegradable materials.
- Unique broad color-spectrum lighting allows users to customize the interior lights from white to red, which helps to reduce light pollution and negative effects on native flora and fauna.
- The eRV2 interior is inspired by modern Japandi principles, a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design that creates a clean, calm and multi-functional environment. This includes a five-in-one sleep/lounge and two adaptable workspaces with built-in charge points and a high-speed Wi-Fi router for optimal data streaming.
- The proprietary Winnebago Connect system allows users to easily monitor and control the vehicle’s electrical and energy management systems using a display inside the vehicle or an intuitive app.
