Electric class A prototype under development. Interesting.

[radar]

Not sure where this goes as it is a class A. Also electric. Mods can decide.

Anyway. Interesting article on a prototype electric class A under development. Merry Christmas all and safe travels in these snowy times.

https://www.greencarreports.com/news...eid=db995d9fb7

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[ocbizman1]

Electric is the future of transportation no matter what anyone says. It may take longer to get there than currently estimated. Especially for larger vehicles, and especially trains. And I don't expect to see electric jumbo jets any time in my lifetime.

Prices will come down, technology will continually improve. And adoption of this tech will continue.

My son has an all-electric Chevy Volt. He just drove it from Washington state, down to Disneyland, and then back. He's got an app that shows him where charging stations are.

I'd love an all electric truck to tow my 11,000 pound trailer but the tech just isn't there yet in trucks. Plus I'd be forced to then stay in private RV resorts all the time instead of camping in state and national parks, or buy a generator. Two things I really don't want to do.

I do believe that an all electric Class A makes sense. Especially for people who typically just stay at RV resorts.

[radar]

Some good points. Also the charging infrastructure for large vehicles is just starting. It’ll happen.

We tow with electric. I would say half our camping is in unpowered provincial or state parks. Doesn’t really affect things that much although being in a campground with either powered sites or with EV charging facilities is a plus for sure.

But our combo is just little. I’m sure this electric class A is going to have a bigger thirst for electrons than my little SUV.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

What I find revealing (and Curmudgeon Fuel) is that the prototype is being shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, not an RV event. The linked article has all the buzz words, too, like "AI." It will be interesting to see what kind of impression it makes.


Watching tech bros design RVs when 99% of them will never use one, own one, or buy one is a curious affair.

[radar]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

What I find revealing (and Curmudgeon Fuel) is that the prototype is being shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, not an RV event. The linked article has all the buzz words, too, like "AI." It will be interesting to see what kind of impression it makes.


Watching tech bros design RVs when 99% of them will never use one, own one, or buy one is a curious affair.

Yah. It would be neat to see the liveability of the prototype. Then again. We looked inside a Newell a couple years ago. The kitchen was unuseable which we thought was weird. The sales guy said the folks who buy Newell’s rarely ever cook in them. Other than a fridge the other appliances go unused.

Still. Interesting to see prototypes.

[bentjm]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

What I find revealing (and Curmudgeon Fuel) is that the prototype is being shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, not an RV event. The linked article has all the buzz words, too, like "AI." It will be interesting to see what kind of impression it makes.


Watching tech bros design RVs when 99% of them will never use one, own one, or buy one is a curious affair.

Based on the picture with the 6 ft or so deep slide on the driver's side, the designer is just dreaming stuff up.

[radar]

Originally Posted by bentjm

Based on the picture with the 6 ft or so deep slide on the driver's side, the designer is just dreaming stuff up.

It does look pretty big. I would think that would present some engineering challenges.

It will be interesting to see what the engineering and designers come up with. Also whose chassis they will use. The tesla semi chassis at this point is the most advanced as far as software and hardware. And the only one that will be mass produced by 2026.

But things change fast in the tech world.

[bentjm]

Originally Posted by radar

It does look pretty big. I would think that would present some engineering challenges.

I am sure Schwintek could come up with a system that can handle a slide that size.🤣

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by bentjm

I am sure Schwintek could come up with a system that can handle a slide that size.��

I guess there's a first time for every manufacturer!

I'm generally positive about where EVs will take folks in the future, but this one is a lot like looking at a Popular Mechanics from 1962 article of the Cars of the Future. Nothing we're driving today (or yesterday) looks or works very much like those pretty water color illustrations led us to believe.

The design being shown in the RV illustrations seems to come from folks who understand technology more than they understand people (not uncommon) and how we tend to use our RVs., which kind of explains why there are no interior illustrations.

This one strikes me as too much "tech bro" and not enough "end user" in the mix.

[brucemcdou]

Originally Posted by Solo_RV_Guy

This one strikes me as too much "tech bro" and not enough "end user" in the mix.

Totally agree about the design shown, and showing it at an electronics exhibition rather than an RV show. But some of those tech bros and gals will buy the first ones and we can benefit from their enthusiasm.

Back on planet reality, the first successful EV RV Class A will be a traditional class A chassis and house. Just take out the engine, transmission, fuel tank, exhaust system, generator, etc etc and replace with two in-axle electric motors and as many batteries as you can stuff into the frame where all that ICE stuff was before. Which is exactly how Freightliner, Daimler, Volvo, and all the other heavy truck manufacturers are building their electric trucks which are already on the road successfully making runs. T*sla is starting from scratch which explains the continual delays and “coming soon” rhetoric. Im not counting out T*sla, they’ve done OK with that ‘build a car from scratch’ thing so far… 😉