THOR Industries has introduced the Embark, a new range-extended RV from its Entegra Coach brand. The Embark combines electric efficiency with traditional travel flexibility, helping reduce range anxiety while keeping the comforts of a full-sized motorhome.
Embark: Range-extended RV key features
- Electric and gas power: The Embark can travel up to 105 miles using only electric power. For longer trips, a gasoline range extender provides a total driving range of about 450 miles. This combination makes the Embark a versatile range-extended RV, letting RVers explore areas without frequent charging stops while still enjoying electric-only driving at campgrounds or in quiet zones.
- Battery and charging: A 140-kWh battery pack is mounted low in the chassis, improving stability and handling. The motorhome supports 800-volt DC fast-charging for quick top-ups. It can also be charged at home or at RV parks using a Level 2 charger. That is a common type of charging station that delivers power faster than a standard household outlet, allowing your RV to recharge in a few hours instead of a full day. This flexibility makes planning trips easier for anyone using a range-extended RV.
- Driving experience: Thor claims the electric drivetrain provides smooth acceleration and a quieter ride compared to gas-powered RVs. Instant torque makes merging on highways or handling steep inclines easier, giving drivers a confident and comfortable experience.
- Safety and convenience: Standard safety equipment includes a backup camera, collision warnings, and tire pressure monitoring. Inside, familiar comforts like kitchens, sleeping areas, and climate control systems make the switch to electric feel natural for traditional RVers.
- Home backup power: The Embark can also act as a backup power source for your home during outages, adding value beyond travel.
- Thor says the new RV’s system has nearly 20 times more battery capacity than the current large 12v lithium battery systems used in RVs.
Try it before you buy it
Full production of the Embark is planned for 2026. Before that, RVers can rent one through THL® to test it on the road. Feedback from these early rentals will help Entegra Coach refine the motorhome before wider release.
Although not specified in the media release, it appears THL® refers to Tourism Holdings Limited, a New Zealand-based company that owns and operates several well-known RV rental brands, including El Monte RV and Road Bear RV in the United States. We’ll keep an eye on the rental aspect and keep you posted.
With the Embark, THOR says it’s offering a practical option for RVers who want the benefits of electric driving without giving up range or comfort. As a modern range-extended RV, it would blend long-distance flexibility, sustainable travel, and the convenience of full-sized motorhome living, conceivably making it a practical choice for road trips and extended adventures.
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RVT1228b
Not sure why they call it a “range extender”. It’s a generator that charges the batteries!
That’s called marketing.
Thank you for the news, Russ and Tina! Charging any electric vehicle (EV) at a campground will require some changes on the campground side. I suspect that meters will be installed at sites where EV charging is allowed. Gathering user information through renting prototypes seems an inspired idea. Imagine asking for the informed opinions of real users!?! Who does that? Hats off to Thor/Entegra. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
This has got to be the dumbest thing Thor or any RV manufacture has ever built. It is going to make a spectacular fire along side the road.
Does the range extender use DEF? 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Actually, I believe it uses propane. It kind of reminds me of those picture you see of a Tesla pulling a utility trailer with a generator in it. But it does reinforce the whole idea that EV are NOT saving the planet, as they have to have fossil fuel to survive.
Thor missed the boat. Rather than building something like this, they should have made it a hybrid with a diesel engine. But it appears they are trying to fool the climate change people in to buying one.
Indeed, No1. Propane it is.
I have always felt like builders should be producing an EV Toad that charges under way while being towed. A whole lot of energy wasted in the free spinning wheels of a toad behind my A. I would actually consider an EV Toad if it charged while behind my pusher. Never buy gas again while on the road, just deisel for the pusher. If that product exists I am unaware of it.
✌️😎
There’s no free lunch; you would be paying for that charging with lower fuel mileage in the motorcoach due to more drag – the generator in the toad would really be a form of dynamic braking. But, maybe you could put solar panels on it and the motorhome …
Maybe a windmill on the roof.
I dont disagree. For me, the loss of efficiency would be offset by the convenience. I am not looking at it as a pure value proposition. I don’t imagine the loss of economy for my Cummins would be so significant on the money portion of the proposition to deter me. 7.5mpg versus 7.48 mpg…. maybe?
Actually, the article says “a gasoline range extender provides a total driving range of about 450 miles.” Gasoline? I read in another article it was propane. Now, I wonder what charging station you will be able to plug this thing in at. All the charger stations I have seen are made for a car, not a bus. Being around 3 times the length of a normal EV car, it will either stick out of the parking slot blocking the driveway behind it, or take up 6-8 parking slots parking sideways in the charge area.
I really doubt the business that installed charge area for EV will spend the money to modify them for a one in a blue moon EV RV they will see.
No. It’s a gasoline four-cylinder engine.
So, is anyone else having issues posting replies or have I been banned from responding to others???
reCapa?? validation fail??? “Score-thrush-hold-not-met”
Sorry, No1Hunter. Our sometimes over-zealous spam filter for some reason put your comment into the Spam older. I have no idea why. Gremlins?🤔 But I just noticed it in there when I read your more recent comment, so it’s now posted. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Well, it also seems I can’t even give a thumbs up/down. I am beginning to think you guys don’t like me. 🙂
In fact, this comment is getting the same failure message, but I will keep trying for now.
Note, I have been trying to post this for over 4 hours. I keep getting the same error message, ““Score-thrush-hold-not-met” Still can’t give a thumbs up/down
Shoot! Sorry, No1. I have no idea why it’s doing that. I’ll send your comment to our IT dude, Kim, to see if he can figure out what the issue is. Thank you for your patience in the meantime. 😀 –Diane
Quit trying to give the up or down thumb and just flip it the finger and see if that helps..😇
I saw this at Open House and wrote an article about it. There is much right with the idea and a few major misses. You have gasoline aboard – why also have propane? With that much battery you could easily run everything on either gas or electricity (induction cook top, gas-fired furnace).
Also, Coleman Mach AC units? There are other actually efficient AC units on the market including the Furrion Chill Cube. I like some of the ideas in this but it’s like the EV RV designed by old people who don’t understand some of the new ideas on the market.
And no solar panels? Are you kidding me?