Mix a industrial EV truck platform with the world’s largest RV producer and what you get is the THOR Take a look at Car. THOR is claiming it as “the world’s first hybrid Class A motorhome.”
The idea construct is a collaboration between Harbinger Motors and THOR Industries. It integrates a “low-emissions gasoline vary extender” with a battery electrical car (BEV) platform, on this case with a camper physique.
The construct is estimated to supply 500 miles of vary and is predicted to qualify as a Close to-Zero Emission Car (NZEV) below the Superior Clear Truck laws, adopted by the California Air Assets Board (CARB).
THOR, by way of its portfolio of corporations, at present sells practically 40% of all new RVs offered worldwide. It expects to be promoting RVs with this hybrid platform below it subsequent yr (2025).
“Electrification will play a central function in the way forward for mobility, together with RVing,” mentioned THOR Industries President and CEO Bob Martin. “This primary-of-its-kind hybrid platform and our ongoing collaboration with Harbinger are reinforcing THOR’s management on this section and creating main factors of product differentiation for our household of corporations.”
THOR Take a look at Car: Hybrid Class A Motorhome
Harbinger Motors developed this EV chassis particularly to energy Class A motorhomes. The thought was to alleviate vary nervousness and enhance car efficiency.
“We based Harbinger with a mission to modernize the medium-duty car business with our world-class electrical chassis,” mentioned Harbinger CEO and Co-Founder John Harris. “Our collaboration with THOR and their household of corporations permits us to assist advance the RV sector and lay the groundwork for merchandise that can improve the RVing expertise.”
Onboard this EV is a 140kWH battery pack. It may be recharged by a gasoline vary extender — higher referred to as a fuel engine — whereas touring and rooftop photo voltaic and/or conventional EV chargers when stationary.
An 800V electrical structure means fast charging at DC Quick Chargers, to scale back the fuel wanted to feed the vary extender on lengthy highway journeys.
Electrified RV Powertrain
Not solely does this EV chassis underpinning this new model of RV propulsion primarily kill vary nervousness, however it additionally presents all the massive benefits of EVs. It presents as much as twice the torque of a diesel engine. That is nice information for freeway passing, steep grades, and tackling tough terrain in a giant motorhome.
Double-wishbone entrance suspension ought to supply a clean trip. Steer-by-wire sounds scary, however it’s a confirmed system that may make navigating a giant RV simple if calibrated correctly. Additionally, THOR says that “class-leading Superior Driver Help System (ADAS) options (will) present a secure, clean trip and glorious dealing with.”
A cool bonus function, particularly contemplating RVs have a tendency to spend so much of time stationary parked close to single-family properties, is the flexibility for this RV to function house backup energy.
Not Vaporware: Hybrid RVs
The THOR Take a look at Car debuted at this time (Sept. 23, 2024) on the firm’s 2024 Elkhart Seller Open Home. Not only a static idea, however a completely useful construct. It’s accessible for take a look at drives on THOR’s RV Expertise Observe for sellers to expertise the powertrain expertise that might be in showrooms subsequent yr.