Mix a business EV truck platform with the world’s largest RV producer and what you get is the THOR Check 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) beneath the Superior Clear Truck laws, adopted by the California Air Sources Board (CARB).
THOR, by way of its portfolio of firms, at present sells almost 40% of all new RVs offered worldwide. It expects to be promoting RVs with this hybrid platform beneath it subsequent yr (2025).
“Electrification will play a central position in the way forward for mobility, together with RVing,” stated 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 phase and creating main factors of product differentiation for our household of firms.”
THOR Check 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 trade with our world-class electrical chassis,” stated Harbinger CEO and Co-Founder John Harris. “Our collaboration with THOR and their household of firms permits us to assist advance the RV sector and lay the groundwork for merchandise that may improve the RVing expertise.”
Onboard this EV is a 140kWH battery pack. It may be recharged by a gasoline vary extender — higher generally known as a gasoline 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 cut back the gasoline wanted to feed the vary extender on lengthy highway journeys.
Electrified RV Powertrain
Not solely does this EV chassis underpinning this new fashion of RV propulsion basically kill vary nervousness, however it additionally presents all the large 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 an enormous motorhome.
Double-wishbone entrance suspension ought to provide a easy experience. Steer-by-wire sounds scary, however it’s a confirmed system that may make navigating an enormous RV simple if calibrated correctly. Additionally, THOR says that “class-leading Superior Driver Help System (ADAS) options (will) present a secure, easy experience and glorious dealing with.”
A cool bonus characteristic, 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 residence backup energy.
Not Vaporware: Hybrid RVs
The THOR Check Car debuted at this time (Sept. 23, 2024) on the firm’s 2024 Elkhart Supplier Open Home. Not only a static idea, however a completely useful construct. It’s accessible for check drives on THOR’s RV Expertise Observe for sellers to expertise the powertrain expertise that can be in showrooms subsequent yr.
