by Freedonia Industry Studies
January 21, 2022
Winnebago and Thor Industries both announced a new type of concept recreational vehicles this week: all-electric, zero emission RVs.
RVs are a hot business right now as Americans are looking for pandemic-safe ways to travel and are enjoying a resurgence in camping and outdoor leisure. Since manufacturers are flush with cash, it's a good time for them to invest in next-gen technology and EVs have to be part of that.
Although the current range is still too limited to accommodate a traveler looking to cover maximum miles in a day, many RVers wouldn't mind stopping every couple of hours to have a meal, take a nap, stretch their legs, or see a tourist spot. As fast-charging stations proliferate, this will become less of a challenge. Additionally, some RV travelers use their vehicles within a few hundred miles of their homes (e.g., tail gating at sports events/concerts, day trips, as a weekend retreat), so the range isn’t a problem if they can recharge at their destination.
Plus, the range is bound to improve along with battery innovations and additional changes to RV design. Current versions of RVs use a lot of fuel (gasoline or diesel) anyway and have to stop regularly to refuel... there is certainly a market for cleaner and more efficient vehicles, including those that make use of solar panels to recharge off the grid.
For more information and discussion of opportunities, see The Freedonia Group’s extensive collection of off-the-shelf research, particularly titles such as Global Batteries, Global Hybrid & Electric Vehicles, Recreational Vehicles, and Outdoor Living. Freedonia Custom Research is also available for questions requiring tailored market intelligence.