One of the major challenges of long, cross-country road trips is the frequent need for refueling—and the high costs associated with it. Even with large fuel tanks, traditional RVs or motorhomes typically achieve only about 10 miles per gallon at best. However, Thor Industries aims to make your road trip more efficient with its plug-in-hybrid RV.
The aptly named Thor Test Vehicle is currently a prototype, but the company claims it to be the world’s first hybrid Class A motorhome. Unlike traditional hybrids, Thor employs a Harbinger Motors “series hybrid” platform featuring a 140.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack, a gasoline range extender (instead of a conventional gas engine driving the wheels), and a solar roof. The battery alone offers a range of 150 miles, while the combined setup provides an impressive 500 miles per fill-up.
Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, Thor’s hybrid RV supports DC fast charging, although the company hasn’t disclosed the charging speed. It also boasts V2L bidirectional charging capabilities, which can serve as a backup power source for your home. Thor hasn’t specified the size of the gasoline range extender, but the company promises exceptional acceleration and torque from the hybrid setup, claiming it delivers “twice the torque of a diesel engine.” The vehicle features a double-wishbone front suspension and a steer-by-wire system, along with a suite of standard active safety features.
As noted, this is merely a prototype. Nonetheless, Airstream’s parent company hopes to bring its ultra-efficient RV to the market and into production by next year.
