What Is a Class E RV?
On December 16, 2020, Camping World made a huge announcement at a press conference in Ohio. They announced a new partnership and an upcoming product that will shake up RVing as we know it: Class E RVs.
This is big news – nothing like this has been announced before.
So, what exactly is a Class E RV? We’ve got the scoop on the RVs and Camping World’s new partnership here. Let’s dive in:
What is a Class E RV?
Be on the lookout for the latest development in RVing: electrified RVs and travel trailers.
A Class E RV is a new concept by Camping World and Lordstown Motors. The E in Class E stands for… you guessed it: electric.
The Class E RV will be an all electric van type motorhome based on Lordstown Motors electric Endurance pickup truck. While there hasn’t been an official announcement, these RVs are expected to be similar to the Class B RVs built with Sprinter or Promaster vans.
There aren’t concrete projections for the Class E motorhome. But, what you can expect to see soon are electrified travel trailers.
Instead of traditional onboard gasoline generators, these electrified travel trailers and fifth wheels will be powered by a lithium-ion battery pack when hookups are unavailable.
Who is Lordstown Motors?
Lordstown Motors is an Ohio-Based EV (electric vehicle) startup. This company produces electric work pickup trucks to “revolutionize the way work gets done”.
Lordstown’s Endurance is the world’s first all electric commercial pickup truck. Endurance has 4-wheel drive and a 7,500 lb towing capacity. This truck competes with many gas and diesel powered trucks on the market today.
About Lordstown Motors and Camping World’s Partnership
Lordstown Motors and Camping World have partnered to develop nationwide Electric Vehicle service centers and collision network around the country for Lordstown’s Endurance Pickups. Lordstown is leveraging Camping World’s growing network of over 170 service centers around the country.
In addition to partnering with Camping World to develop this network of EV service centers, the two companies are exploring the development of the first Class E RVs.
Lordstown will adapt their program to accommodate RVs to create the Class E RVs. The company will be working on the battery pack for travel trailers, as well.
These battery packs will be able to be integrated into travel trailer designs by RV manufacturers. The RVs will be available for sale through Camping World.
This partnership is mutually beneficial for each company. It saves Lordstown from having to build their own service center network, and helps make electrification a more timely reality for the RV industry.
What About Charging?
Camping World plans to work with Good Sam to create a network of EV charging stations for electrified travel trailers and Class E RVs at Camping World locations around the nation.
Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Camping World, is also the CEO of Good Sam.
Camping World Spending $4 million Updating Their Infrastructure for Electrification
According to Camping World and Good Sam CEO, Marcus Lemonis, Camping World will spend around $4 million to upgrade their infrastructure to support electrification.
This infrastructure upgrade will include not only their service centers, but training as well. The company will be training technicians and call service agents to not only include the needs of Endurance truck owners, but eventually electrified trailer and Class E RV owners as well.
These upgrades will also include electric vehicle charging stations at Camping World locations around the country.
CEO Marcus Lemonis says:
“The future is now, and the realization of electrifying RVs and the outdoor community is within our grasp and will only grow from here”.
When Will the Class E RVs Be Available?
There is no date projected for the all-electric motorhome production or sales.
But, Camping World is projecting that we should see sales for the electrified travel trailers and fifth wheels as soon as 2022.
Would You Buy a Class E RV?
There’s no doubt about it: Class E RVs will be a huge change for the RVing industry and boondocking as we know it! So, would you buy one?
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No way. I want to be unplugged. Not have to plug in. Solar/lithium is the way to go.
I hope CW works to improve their reputation first. 🥺
Exactly what I was thinking. When I think of Camping World, I think of pond scum. There business practices are unethical and they are not worthy of such a project.
Well done!
The next few years will prove interesting as L-ion battery tech gets cheaper. Instead of spending $10-$20,000 on solar panels, battery banks, and all the tech to connect it all, the price will come way down and it’ll be the standard for all RV companies. Camping World’s 4million investment is just the start. Thor has billions it could throw at this. Imagine your Jayco, Airstream, and all their other brands with a walk-on completely solar roof from front to back, side to side, and the travel trailer or 5th wheel actually charges the truck that is towing it? It’s already known that electric cars are the fastest and have the most instant torque. We’re almost there with solar recharging the cars, and eventually the trucks as well. No more plugging in will be the key. Gotta laugh that people think plugging their Tesla somehow saves the ecosystem then they’re not thinking about the power plants that provide the power to that outlet. What if you never have to plug it in? Then all we have to do is be able to recycle those batteries so we’re not polluting the world with the old ones.