Ford July 2023 Sales - Up 5.9% overallSorry, apparently context of my post was not clear. I was referring to Ford making a Transit or Transit Custom PHEV van that would be easier to build into an RV for camping applications.
When companies like Winnebago or Coachmen upgrade a regular ICE van into a camper van, they often add approximately 7.5 kWh of lithium batteries (or more), plus a second alternator to charge lithium batteries, plus automated engine start to charge batteries when they get low, etc. They also have to add an additional RV air conditioner when the vehicle's isn't being used. Overall it's a great idea but the quality of design and build is usually very poor and systems are often unreliable. Mostly they are very expensive compared to what it costs Ford. And Ford would design and mass produce a system 100 times better.
While camping in many National Parks without electricity, running a generator or idling the van's engine is not allowed. A PHEV van with well over 10~15 kWh of battery should be able to power the van's air conditioner for many hours, which is what latest RV camper vans do with added lithium batteries of less capacity. Best part is a typical PHEV can recharge battery much faster so it would take a fraction of time compared to what's available today.
The need is there and it's not silly at all if trying to capture greater share of RV and Vanlife market. Most hardware in van should already be there in a PHEV, and it would save RV builder a lot of money and work. It's an opportunity similar to very successful Pro Power Onboard except that Ford hasn't capitalized on it yet. Hopefully Farley's comment includes a design for RV use similar to above.Mon, 07 Aug 2023 01:56:23 +0000
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