Summary
- Manufacturers of motorhomes in California will not be exempt from the Advanced Clean Trucks rule
- Different types of RVs (Class A, B, C, and travel trailers) will be affected differently by the rule
- The rule will impact larger motorhomes built on medium or heavy-duty truck chassis
- One manufacturer, Ford, plans to continue selling motorhome chassis to coach builders
- Motorhome industry needs to transition to electric vehicles to comply with the rule and meet future demand
Article
The recent meeting of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) delivered bad news to motorhome manufacturers regarding their exemption from the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. Many RV companies were hoping for an exemption to continue building gas and diesel-powered motorhomes using emissions credits, but this option may not be viable for most manufacturers. The regulations will particularly impact Class A and larger Class C motorhomes, which are built on medium or heavy-duty truck chassis.
The Advanced Clean Trucks regulations affect motorhome manufacturers as the platforms they use to build motorhomes will now be counted as trucks, impacting the manufacturers’ ZEV numbers. This means that building gas or diesel-powered motorhomes will cut into the manufacturers’ ability to sell to their primary market of commercial buyers. Despite this challenge, Ford is committed to selling a motorhome chassis to coach builders given their substantial presence in the EV market.
Other manufacturers like Newmar, Spartan, and Freightliner are discontinuing motorhome chassis sales destined for CARB states due to the lack of EV options. However, there are workarounds such as purchasing used RVs or registering vehicles out of state. Setting up a corporate entity in a state like Montana to own and register the RV is another option, although it may raise legal concerns. Overall, the motorhome industry is being pushed towards electric vehicles to comply with the new regulations.
The motorhome industry has the potential to transition to electric vehicles despite concerns about range and cost. Improvements in battery technology and charging infrastructure make it feasible to build electric motorhomes with ranges comparable to gas and diesel rigs. Offering a small percentage of electric RVs alongside traditional models can help manufacturers meet the regulatory requirements while stimulating demand for these environmentally friendly options.
Electric motorhomes offer several benefits such as fuel savings, lower maintenance costs, improved performance, and easier boondocking. With a large battery and solar panels, owners can power their RVs off-grid without relying on hookups. The transition to electric motorhomes may initially be expensive, but as battery prices decrease and charging infrastructure improves, electric RVs could become more cost-effective and competitive with traditional models. Overall, embracing electric motorhomes could provide a better future for the industry and cater to a growing demand for sustainable travel options.
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