Combine a commercial EV truck platform with the world’s largest RV manufacturer and what you get is the THOR Test Vehicle. THOR is claiming it as “the world’s first hybrid Class A motorhome.”
The concept build is a collaboration between Harbinger Motors and THOR Industries. It integrates a “low-emissions gasoline range extender” with a battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform, in this case with a camper body.
The build is estimated to offer 500 miles of range and is expected to qualify as a Near-Zero Emission Vehicle (NZEV) under the Advanced Clean Truck legislation, adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
THOR, through its portfolio of companies, currently sells nearly 40% of all new RVs sold worldwide. It expects to be selling RVs with this hybrid platform under it next year (2025).
“Electrification will play a central role in the future of mobility, including RVing,” said THOR Industries President and CEO Bob Martin. “This first-of-its-kind hybrid platform and our ongoing collaboration with Harbinger are reinforcing THOR’s leadership in this segment and creating major points of product differentiation for our family of companies.”
THOR Test Vehicle: Hybrid Class A Motorhome
Harbinger Motors developed this EV chassis specifically to power Class A motorhomes. The idea was to alleviate range anxiety and improve vehicle performance.
“We founded Harbinger with a mission to modernize the medium-duty vehicle industry with our world-class electric chassis,” said Harbinger CEO and Co-Founder John Harris. “Our collaboration with THOR and their family of companies allows us to help advance the RV sector and lay the groundwork for products that will enhance the RVing experience.”
Onboard this EV is a 140kWH battery pack. It can be recharged by a gasoline range extender — better known as a gas engine — while traveling and rooftop solar and/or traditional EV chargers when stationary.
An 800V electrical architecture means quick charging at DC Fast Chargers, to reduce the gas needed to feed the range extender on long road trips.
Electrified RV Powertrain
Not only does this EV chassis underpinning this new style of RV propulsion essentially kill range anxiety, but it also offers all the big advantages of EVs. It offers up to twice the torque of a diesel engine. This is great news for highway passing, steep grades, and tackling rough terrain in a big motorhome.
Double-wishbone front suspension should offer a smooth ride. Steer-by-wire sounds scary, but it is a proven system that can make navigating a big RV easy if calibrated properly. Also, THOR says that “class-leading Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features (will) provide a safe, smooth ride and excellent handling.”
A cool bonus feature, especially considering RVs tend to spend a lot of time stationary parked near single-family homes, is the ability for this RV to serve as home backup power.
Not Vaporware: Hybrid RVs
The THOR Test Vehicle debuted today (Sept. 23, 2024) at the company’s 2024 Elkhart Dealer Open House. Not just a static concept, but a fully functional build. It is available for test drives on THOR’s RV Experience Track for dealers to experience the powertrain technology that will be in showrooms next year.
