Debut of the hybrid medium-duty chassis
highlights THOR's leadership in innovation and commitment to
electrifying the future of RVs
● Built on Harbinger's
electric medium-duty chassis, the hybrid platform delivers an
estimated 500 miles of range
● Confident and powerful
acceleration for merging and mountain driving
● Smooth ride, handling, and
steering via independent double-wishbone front suspension and
steer-by-wire system
● Thoughtful and highly
integrated power system simplifying energy management and extending
time off grid
● Ability to serve as a home
backup power source and charge other battery powered devices,
including eBikes and power tools
ELKHART,
Ind. and GARDEN GROVE,
Calif., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- THOR
Industries, Inc. (NYSE: THO) reinforced its position as
the recreational vehicle (RV) industry innovation leader by
unveiling the world's first hybrid Class A motorhome, the THOR Test
Vehicle. The vehicle is built on an electric vehicle (EV)
platform developed by EV manufacturer Harbinger. THOR and Harbinger
collaborated to integrate a low-emissions gasoline range
extender that can recharge the electric battery
system, delivering an estimated 500 miles of range. RVs utilizing
the hybrid platform will be commercially available in 2025 from the
THOR family of companies and are expected to qualify as a Near-Zero
Emission Vehicle (NZEV) under the Advanced Clean Truck legislation,
adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
"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
hybrid platform and our ongoing collaboration with Harbinger are
reinforcing THOR's leadership in this segment and creating major
points of product differentiation for our family of companies."
THOR's Test Vehicle is a demonstration hybrid RV constructed on
a Harbinger platform, which was purpose-built for the unique range
requirements of the RV industry, exclusively for THOR. This is the
first electrified chassis explicitly designed to power Class A
motorhomes and was designed to alleviate range anxiety and deliver
the ultimate in travel freedom and sustainability.
The hybrid chassis is powered by a 140-kWh battery pack, a
low-emissions gasoline range extender that recharges the battery,
and solar rooftop. The platform's 800-volt electrical architecture
allows for rapid charging at DC Fast Charger locations, which
facilitates more time on the road. The batteries can also be
charged at traditional campsites, via the range extender, and solar
power, whether on the road or off-grid camping.
The hybrid platform can also serve as a backup home power source
and could one day allow owners to sell power stored in the vehicle
back to the grid.
The Test Vehicle's electric powertrain delivers excellent
acceleration and torque, offering up to twice the torque of a
diesel engine, for confident highway driving on mountain roads and
through rough terrain.
The platform's design innovations go beyond the powertrain.
Harbinger's chassis includes all major vehicle systems of an
electric vehicle, including drivetrain, high voltage battery
system, steering, brakes, and more. Its double-wishbone front
suspension, steer-by-wire system, and class-leading Advanced Driver
Assistance System (ADAS) features provide a safe, smooth ride and
excellent handling, even in a large vehicle.
"We founded Harbinger with a mission to modernize the
medium-duty vehicle industry with our world-class electric
chassis," said Harbinger CEO and Co-Founder John Harris. "Our collaboration with THOR and
their family of companies allows us to help advance the RV sector
and lay the groundwork for products that will enhance the RVing
experience."
The THOR Test Vehicle is available for dealer test drives on
THOR's RV Experience Track at the Elkhart Dealer Open House, the
largest dealer event in North
America, starting Monday, Sept. 23,
2024 in Elkhart, Indiana.
RV dealers from across the continent will have the opportunity to
experience the future of RVing and help guide the path to market
for this exclusive product.
The THOR-Harbinger partnership and the world's first hybrid
Class A platform will truly allow RVers to Go Everywhere. Stay
Anywhere®.
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About THOR Industries
THOR Industries is the sole
owner of operating companies which, combined, represent the world's
largest RV manufacturer. For more information on the Company and
its products, please
visit https://www.thorindustries.com/.
About Harbinger
Harbinger is a commercial electric
vehicle (EV) company on a mission to transform an industry starving
for innovation. Harbinger's best-in-class team of EV, battery, and
drivetrain experts have pooled their deep experience to support the
growing demand for medium-duty EVs. Leveraging a foundation of
proprietary, in-house developed vehicle technologies designed
specifically for commercial and specialty vehicles, Harbinger is
bringing a first-of-its-kind EV platform to market, priced at
parity to traditional gasoline and diesel
vehicles. Harbinger: familiar form, revolutionary
foundation.
To learn more about Harbinger, please
visit www.harbingermotors.com. You can find the company press
kit HERE.
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SOURCE THOR Industries