Winnebago Industries, Inc. is a well-known outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer in the United States. The company completed the ultimate all-electric RV road trip inside a zero-emission RV. The journey started in Washington D.C. and covered the following cities:

• Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Canton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Detroit, Michigan
• Indiana Dunes National Park
• Chicago, Illinois
• Eden Prairie, Minnesota (the headquarters of Winnebago Industries)

What is the e-RV?

Winnebago revealed the e-RV on January 18, 2022, at the Florida RV Super Show. It is a functional all-electric concept vehicle that redefines everything from efficiency to comfort while traveling. It incorporates a progressive drive train and battery package that powers everything you need to use inside.

Its chassis is based on a modified version of the Ford Transit platform. The e-RV features a cutting-edge electrical power system from Lightning e Motors. All the materials throughout the vehicle are sustainable and eco-friendly, like recycled cork-rubber flooring. In the driver’s seat, the integrated control system displays all the important vehicle data you need to know while en route.

There are many premium amenities, including a marine-grade refrigerator, a slide-out cooktop, and matte black sink fixtures. The bathroom features a toilet and modern fixtures, like the detachable, handheld shower head for added convenience.

In terms of range and charge time, Winnebago says the RV takes about 45 minutes to charge fully and can travel up to 125 miles while powering onboard systems. While this might not seem like a high range, the manufacturer claims that most people purchasing an RV for the first time prefer trips under 200 miles.

The 1,300-mile all-electric Winnebago RV road trip

Earlier this month, Winnebago announced the completion of a 1,300-mile e-RV road trip. This was the lengthiest continuous road trip for the e-RV to date. It took 26 hours to drive 1,380 miles while traveling at about 53 mph. 

The average miles per kWh was 1.58 mi/kWh. The average time spent at D.C. fast chargers was about 1 hour and 2 minutes, which is 17 minutes longer than the concept’s revealed estimation. The trip ended with a total charging cost of $275.00. That’s an impressive 60% cost savings when compared to a gas-powered road trip. Winnebago says that they used the trip to collect data and make observations they will apply to future designs and model refinements.

Are EV RVs coming?

The short answer is yes. EV RVs are coming, and the demand may be higher than you think. Ashis Bhattacharya, Winnebago Industries senior vice president, Business Development, Advanced Technology, and Enterprise Marketing states, “Consumer demand is driving electric power applications across many fronts, and we believe RV consumers are poised to benefit from the enhanced features and usability that electrified and connected RV products will provide.”

Winnebago Industries has built motorhomes, fifth-wheel products, commercial community outreach vehicles, and much more. The e-RV concept vehicle is the perfect beginning of something new and exciting.