Automotive

Winnebago eRV2 is a US electric camper van that off-grids for 7 days

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Winnebago reveals its second all-electric camper van prototype, the eRV2
Winnebago
This profile shows a shorter overall length than the original eRV, along with what appears to be solar panels above the windshield
Winnebago
Winnebago teases its second electric camper van prototype
Winnebago
Winnebago's eRV2 has 900 watts of solar neatly integrated into the roof design
Winnebago
The Winnebago eRV2 is designed with the digital nomad trend in mind, offering two convertible workstations
Winnebago
The eRV2's multi-color lighting system is designed to help support the dark sky movement and maintain crisper views of the stars overhead
Winnebago
The eRV2 has a more conventional and production-ready interior than the original eRV
Winnebago
Winnebago gives the eRV2 a convertible rear lounge floor plan
Winnebago
Winnebago revealed the eRV2 at the 2023 Florida RV SuperShow, a year after showing the original eRV
Winnebago
The Winnebago eRV2's rear lounge converts into a transverse bed
Winnebago
The Winnebago eRV2 electric camper van features a smart home-style control system with touchscreen and mobile app
Winnebago
Winnebago reveals its second all-electric camper van prototype, the eRV2
Winnebago
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The official eRV2 debut won't come until tomorrow at the Florida RV SuperShow, but Winnebago has broken out of the gates a little early in detailing the all-new electric camper van ahead of the show. As expected, Winnebago's second e-camper van prototype switches over to a factory Ford E-Transit chassis. With just over 100 miles of range, the camper van will be better-suited to local micro adventures than boundless expeditions, but Winnebago is exploring various range-extending solutions to ensure its first electrified motorhome delivers the performance that RVers expect.

As its name makes clear, the eRV2 is a further evolution of last year's eRV prototype. In many ways, though, it's a brand-new vehicle, trading out the electrified Transit chassis from Lightning eMotors for an E-Transit straight from the Ford factory. That switch actually comes with a range loss as the high-roof E-Transit that serves as the base for the eRV2 comes with a very modest 108-mile (174-km) estimated range, not particularly promising for trips more ambitious than a quick visit to the local national forest or state park.

The original eRV came stamped with a slightly better 125-mile (201-km) range, though that limit didn't stop Winnebago from taking it on a 1,400-mile (2,250-km) cross-country road trip. Winnebago says that it's actively pursuing range extension options for a commercial eRV, but it doesn't specify the technologies in which it's most interested. We've seen other major RV manufacturers exploring everything from rotary engine generators to hydrogen fuel cells in recent years, aiming to augment the low ranges that currently hamper fully electric motorhomes.

Winnebago revealed the eRV2 at the 2023 Florida RV SuperShow, a year after showing the original eRV
Winnebago

"Our primary goal in building the eRV2 was to help people comfortably explore the world around them with less environmental impact," says Huw Bower, Winnebago president. "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 won't merely commute to the campsite under pure-electric power, but it will continue running battery-only at camp. The new prototype relies on a proprietary "IonBlade" lithium house battery to power all onboard camper equipment. Winnebago collaborated with Lithionics Battery to create the thin-bodied 15-kWh 48-V lithium battery, which is housed below the van floor. A 900-W solar array helps keep the battery running while parked at camp, and Winnebago estimates that the eRV2 can run its electric camp for up to seven days of off-grid boondocking.

Winnebago gives the eRV2 a convertible rear lounge floor plan
Winnebago

Winnebago promises to carry the eRV2's smart, cutting edge design into the interior with an adaptable layout honed for the modern work/live-on-the-road nomadic professional. The cabin features a 5-in-1 multipurpose lounge/sleep area, two adaptable workspaces with built-in charging ports, and a high-speed Wi-Fi router. The Winnebago Connect system offers smart home-like monitoring and control from a command screen inside the eRV2 and an accompanying app.

Winnebago says that the interior design is guided by modern Japandi principles, representing a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design philosophies. This sounds perfectly on-trend, as RV manufacturers have been incorporating Scandinavian-inspired design to great effect recently, and Japan micro-RVs have been fascinating the world with their incredibly efficient use of space. Winnebago also promises an emphasis on recycled, plant-based and biodegradable materials.

The Winnebago eRV2 is designed with the digital nomad trend in mind, offering two convertible workstations
Winnebago

While Winnebago posted an announcement ahead of tomorrow's debut, it did not release photos or additional interior details. We'll update with new information and materials after the full debut on Wednesday. Winnebago will be even be offering test rides at the Tampa show.

Update 1/18/23: We've added a full photo gallery with exterior and interior photos. Winnebago also released an eRV2 intro video to better define its "#eVanlife" vision.

Source: Winnebago

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2 comments
guzmanchinky
I vanlife all the time in my Sprinter 4x4, but 100 miles is not even close to enough. And I am a huge EV proponent, I cannot wait until this kind of vehicle can match the range of a normal van and then still run an a/c all night with no noise and no hookup...
jerryd
What they need to do is buy a E chassis from Lightning Motors, others, and put a far better body, lighter, more aero and the same pack can get it 200 mile range. Now a composite body fits that bill thought foam core aluminum does too. Composites is easier to make stronger, more aerodynamic with a foam core insulates cutting heating, cooling load.
The key to lower cost to build in EVs is keep them light, aero and you can't do that using an ICE glider.
And long range is 200 mile range and 12 minute 75% charging which is easy now.