EWs: Electric Winnebagos unveiled, but not practical for most campers

electric winnebagos
First plug-in models of electric Winnebagos have a driving range is 125 miles, not practical for recreational use so the EWs will be better put to use locally.

First plug-in models of electric Winnebagos have a driving range is 125 miles, not practical for recreational use so the EWs will be better put to use locally.

First electric Winnebagos likely be mobile classrooms, outreach vehicles, bloodmobiles

Electric Winnebagos will be soon hitting the streets, but the RV’s limited driving range of 85 to 125 miles on a full charge means it will not likely be seen at any campgrounds in the near future.

Instead, the plug-in, battery powered 33′ and 38′ vehicles are intended to be used for local, short-range, fixed-base operations, including mobile classrooms, outreach vehicles and bloodmobiles.

“We believe that all-electric vehicle applications continue to evolve,” Ashis Bhattacharya, head of Winnebago’s specialty vehicles division told CNN. “This is our first step in this space.”

The limited range along with a shortage of publicly available charging stations make electric RVing impractical, according to the Forest City, Iowa-based business.

But, a survey by Kampgrounds of America (KOA) reported that more RV campers staying closer to home.

According to the poll, 35 per cent of campers travelled less than 80 Kilometres from home and almost half of the respondents who identified themselves as “new campers” said they were likely to stay that close to home.  KOA says it is not clear what percentage of those short-haul campers drove recreational vehicles.

Currently, some KOA campgrounds are equipped with EV charging stations so campers with electric cars can charge their vehicles while staying at the campgrounds.

KOA says the popularity of camping is on the rise and number of people who go camping three or more times a year has increased by 20 per cent since 2014.

Winnebago has partnered with Motiv Power Systems to build the electric Winnebago.  Motiv Power Systems makes chassis for medium-duty electric trucks which are mostly used for delivering goods locally.

 

 

 

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