Thor Lets Campers Go Further Off Grid With Electric Embark RV
The Embark Class A RV offers all the benefits of electrification with none of the range anxiety thanks to an onboard range extender.
Thor Industries introduced what it claims is the world’s first extended-range Class A motorhome. The company claims the Embark by Entegra Coach offers up to 450 miles (725 km) of real-world driving range thanks to an integrated range extender.
“Electrification will play a central role in the future of mobility, including RVing,” said Thor Industries president and CEO Bob Martin. “This first-of-its-kind electric Class A motorhome reinforces Thor’s innovation leadership and offers unparalleled product differentiation for the Entegra Coach brand.”
“The Embark will go through extensive consumer testing through the rental market prior to production next summer,” said Ken Walters, president and CEO of the Jayco Family of Companies. “We want to be sure that it offers everything a customer expects from an Entegra Coach motorhome.”
Good bones
The Embark is built on Harbinger’s electric medium-duty chassis with a center-mounted battery pack. Thor states that the Embark can provide 105 miles (170 km) of range on battery power alone. The packs can reach an 80% SOC in 1 hour using the range extender, and the system can serve as a backup power source for homes or other electrical needs. The battery pack of the Embark consists of either four or five packs with an output ranging from 140 to 175 kWh.
They are integrated into an 800-volt electrical architecture that allows for rapid charging at DC fast chargers as well as 240V systems that are typically found at residential homes – or even 50-amp systems such as those found at most campgrounds. Thor states that the batteries can also be charged when the vehicle is stationary by using the range extender.
This system is said to have a total electrical capacity nearly 20 times larger than most current large 12V lithium battery systems that are used in RVs. Towing figures are not currently available for the Embark, but the payload is listed at 13,686 lb (6,208 kg).
Manageable maintenance
Thor did not provide details on the range extender for the Embark, only stating that it is a gasoline-powered unit. However, the company did provide projected maintenance times for swapping major components of the unit’s EV powertrain. The battery pack can reportedly be swapped in under 30 minutes, while a full swap of the electric drive unit can be performed in 1.5 hours or less.
The Embark also features a side-mounted thermal box for quick access to those components. Thor states that 90% of potential repairs on the electric driveline can be performed in under 24 hours thanks to modular components and instant diagnostics tools.
Rental reconnaissance
Thor expects the Embark to be commercially available soon with full production commencing in 2026. While consumers initially will not be able to purchase an Embark, they will be able to rent one from THL starting next year.
Entegra Coach/Thor have stated that this decision was made to maximize consumer feedback from THL’s rental fleet in order to make continuous product improvements throughout next year.
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