The Chevy Brighdrop – based Coachmen Rvex Electric RV is actually logical in the real world – Jalopnik

Although EVs have become mainstream, they still have to successfully penetrate the RV market. Nobody wants to drive 100 miles and then wait hours to charge before you continue. That can change because the new Coachmen RVEX tackles the shortcomings of electric campers better than everything we have seen so far.

It is based on the Chevy Brighdrop Delivery bus, and although a step bus with sliding doors seems like a strange choice for a camper, a large box on wheels is the perfect shape. Even better is the claimed range of the RVEX to 270 miles, thanks to the largest available 172-KWh battery from the Bright drop. It takes an hour, a relaxed lunch stop, to add 160 miles of reach. Although less than the reach of 296 miles from the Brightdrop freight base due to the weight of the RV interior, it is much better than the maximum range of the Ford e-transit 159 miles. A Dual-Motor Setup gives the RVEX 300 hp, 390 pound-foot torque and four-wheel drive, making it much more difficult to get stuck on soft soil while he drives to the ultimate Boondocking site. You can also stay for a long time of the schedule, thanks to the 48-Volt house battery of 1,000 ampere and 1,000 Watt solar panels on the roof.

The Coachmen RVEX is a class B Rv, which means it was built in the bodywork of an existing van instead of having a larger tailor -made body. Some would call it tight, while others consider it cozy. Anyway, it is a fairly standard, as a minimalist, setup as far as all class B stainless steel go. It has a sink, fridge, freezer, induction heater and a combination microgolf/convection oven. A wet bathroom takes up part of the interior, combining a shower and sink with a five gallon cassette toilet. The RVEX contains 18 gallons of fresh water and a storage tank for gray water from the sink and shower. The cupboards and interiorbuild are made of much more lightweight materials than is usually found on campers, saving 290 pounds over traditional materials.

In the back, a few long benches turns into a bed at night. The only flat space is a single Lagun Swivel table, which must be removed to fold the bed flat. A split door replaces the clean-up door of the Bright drop delivery van. The lower half waves out, while the upper half is a window that opens vertically. That window is electrochromic and immediately becomes opaque on a button.

The front is nothing to write home about, and it is where the Brightdrop delivery bus shows the clearest, with large parts of gray plastic and storage cubes. The touchscreen displays, however, are a great modern touch, and Coachmen added a passenger seat that did not need the standard delivery bus.

Contrary to what this video says (although it is a great passage if you want to see the details), the Coachmen RVEX is not the first fully electric RV on the market. Winnebago made an Electric Adventure of concept from an E-transit, and Grounded has already made a glasses-based RV. Two main differences between these electric campers and the RVEX make it practical for the average Rver, not just the EV enthusiast.

The first difference is the price. The original starting price of the grounded G2 was $ 195,000. That has come down to $ 165,000, but it can still go to $ 200,000, depending on how you matter. The Rvex starts at $ 150,000. Although far from chumping change, this is about the same as a new gas or diesel-powered class B RV. You no longer have to pay a premium for the privilege of an electric motorhome.

The Rvex has several charging methods. As expected, level 1, level 2 and DC support quickly. The game changer is that connecting to the standard RV 30 or 50-ampat socket for the electrical system of the house Also charges the vehicle battery. This is huge. You can drive at 250 miles from home to a campsite without stopping, connecting for the night and fully charging the vehicle battery in 12 hours at 50 Ampère, or 18 hours at 30 Amps, according to Matt’s RV reviews. If your overnight stops are close enough together, you don’t just have to stop at a gas station, you don’t have to stop at a DC -fast charger.

This is an advantage of a fully electric RV that works in the real world and cannot be duplicated in one that burns fossil fuels. Unless you want to do many non-stop miles, it is even more convenient than a gas or diesel camper. There is only one function that I would like to see, and I admit that it is a power -user -thing. If you know that you are going somewhere where you can connect, but it is 350 miles away, it would be great to have the option to sacrifice part of your home battery to charge the vehicle battery, extend your reach and make it on one load. When you connect to your destination, you have all the power you need to charge both batteries at night.

H/T InsideeeEVS