Winnebago Industries, a well-known manufacturer of recreational vehicles, recently unveiled its first all-electric zero-emission motorhome, dubbed the eRV2 concept. The new model is based on a Ford Transit chassis and features a powertrain designed by Lightning eMotors, a Colorado-based company that specializes in commercial electric vehicle conversions.

The eRV2 has an 86-kWh battery pack that provides a driving range of 125 miles per charge, while also powering the onboard amenities such as air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, induction cooktop, and water heater. The e-RV can be charged at any Level 2 or DC fast charging station and has a top speed of 69 mph.

This rig is designed to offer comfort and functionality for travelers who want to reduce their environmental impact and enjoy the freedom of the open road. The eRV2 has a four-person sleeping capacity, with a rear sofa bed and an optional pop-top roof with an additional bed. The eRV2 also has a wet bath with a shower and toilet, a dinette area with swivel seats and a table, and plenty of storage space. The eRV2 also features the Winnebago Connect system, which allows users to monitor and control various aspects of the vehicle through an app-based interface.

The eRV2 is currently a concept vehicle that showcases Winnebago’s vision for the future of RVing. Winnebago plans to test and refine the e-RV through real-world trials and customer feedback before launching it to the market. The eRV2 is expected to be available for purchase in late 2023 or early 2024, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.

Meanwhile on the interwebs…

• The Winnebago electric RV may qualify for many incentives for electric vehicle purchases and infrastructure upgrades.
• The eRV2 is currently a prototype that is undergoing real-world testing and customer feedback. Winnebago has been traveling across the country with the eRV2 concept to showcase its features and performance.
• It has some limitations, such as a low top speed of 69 mph, a short driving range of 125 miles, and a need for frequent charging stops every 70 to 90 miles. Winnebago plans to improve these aspects for the production version and aims for a comfortable driving range of three hours.
• It has received mixed reviews from RV enthusiasts. Some have praised its innovative design, eco-friendly features, and spacious interior. Others have criticized its high price, limited range, and lack of availability.

Electrified Mag’s Take: We love it!  The reality is most van-life folks are not snow-camping in the Tetons. They are in urban areas and boondock in gym parking lots, coffee shops, and shopping malls. A 125-mile range is doable for this crowd.  Psssst, van life folks can pull into almost any (functioning) public charger at 4:00 am and always beat the crowd, so no residential charger is not a dealbreaker. The 125-mile range is a bit shy for weekenders and long haulers that want to go to the beach or skiing for longer than a couple of days. The real headscratcher here is Ford makes a factory E-Transit that would seemingly make a good base for this RV. We suspect Winnabagi got help from Lightning eMotors for the electric conversion because they needed big amperage to run this darn thing. The RV industry needs a dedicated EV chassis for coach conversion, GM are you listening?  Their Brightdrop van with the Ultium chassis is a fantastic candidate. Think of this thing dolled up like the eRV2 concept van. Winnegabo, are YOU listening?