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A luxury RV maker says it created the world's first fully electric travel trailer see inside the $310,000 home on wheels with Starlink connectivity

Brittany Chang   

A luxury RV maker says it created the world's first fully electric travel trailer — see inside the $310,000 home on wheels with Starlink connectivity
Bowlus
  • Luxury travel trailer Bowlus has unveiled what it says is the world's first fully electric RV, the Volterra.
  • The new Starlink-enabled Volterra trailer starts at $310,000.

Luxury travel trailer maker Bowlus has unveiled its latest build, the Volterra.

Luxury travel trailer maker Bowlus has unveiled its latest build, the Volterra.
Bowlus

But unlike its other models, Bowlus says the shiny new trailer is the world's first fully electric production RV.

But unlike its other models, Bowlus says the shiny new trailer is the world
Bowlus

Source: Bowlus

And this title will cost you: The new luxury tiny home on wheels starts at $310,000, making it the company's most expensive RV yet.

And this title will cost you: The new luxury tiny home on wheels starts at $310,000, making it the company
Bowlus

Source: Bowlus

Bowlus has been a familiar face in the luxury road travel market for several years now.

Bowlus has been a familiar face in the luxury road travel market for several years now.
The Terra Firma edition.      Bowlus

In 2020, its $255,000 Endless Highways Bespoke Performance Edition travel trailer was listed in Neiman Marcus' holiday gift guide.

In 2020, its $255,000 Endless Highways Bespoke Performance Edition travel trailer was listed in Neiman Marcus
The Bowlus Bespoke Customized Endless Highways Performance Edition.      Neiman Marcus

Source: Insider

And throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the company saw an immense growth in sales and popularity with growing waitlists for its builds, the company told Insider in 2021.

And throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the company saw an immense growth in sales and popularity with growing waitlists for its builds, the company told Insider in 2021.
Bowlus Road Chief's Endless Highways Performance Edition.      Bowlus Road Chief

Source: Insider

The travel trailer maker may have carved out its own path in the RV industry, but it's not the only company dabbling in the red-hot fully electric (emphasis on "fully") RV market.

The travel trailer maker may have carved out its own path in the RV industry, but it
Winnebago Industries' e-RV on the road.      Winnebago Industries

Source: Insider

In early 2022, legacy companies like Mercedes-Benz, Winnebago, and Thor Industries unveiled electric RV concepts.

In early 2022, legacy companies like Mercedes-Benz, Winnebago, and Thor Industries unveiled electric RV concepts.
The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.      Daimler

Source: Insider

But these vehicles were just that: concepts with no firm release dates.

But these vehicles were just that: concepts with no firm release dates.
Winnebago Industries

Other electric travel trailers with off-grid capabilities are already available to consumers.

Other electric travel trailers with off-grid capabilities are already available to consumers.
Living Vehicle

But according to Bowlus, these other models aren't actually fully electric because they have amenities like gas cooktops or propane tanks (Bowlus offers the latter for "backup" off-grid heating uses).

But according to Bowlus, these other models aren
Living Vehicle

Source: Bowlus

"[Full electrification] isn't something you can achieve overnight, which is why you see so much concept work instead of actual production from the rest of the industry," Geneva Long, the founder and CEO of Bowlus, told Insider.

"[Full electrification] isn
Bowlus

According to Long, Bowlus has been shooting for complete electrification for several years now ...

According to Long, Bowlus has been shooting for complete electrification for several years now ...
Bowlus

... and was able to achieve it before legacy companies because of its early integration of lithium-ion phosphate batteries, lightweight materials, and an aerodynamic trailer shape initially designed to increase the tow vehicle's miles per gallon.

...  and was able to achieve it before legacy companies because of its early integration of lithium-ion phosphate batteries, lightweight materials, and an aerodynamic trailer shape initially designed to increase the tow vehicle
Bowlus

If you've seen Bowlus' previous models, the 27-foot electrified Volterra might look familiar.

If you
Bowlus Road Chief's Endless Highways Performance Edition.      Bowlus Road Chief

The exterior still retains Bowlus' signature shiny retro look. And inside, the trailer's kitchen, living room, and bedroom furnishings look similar to Bowlus' previous models.

The exterior still retains Bowlus
Bowlus

But the Volterra's innovations are in its details.

But the Volterra
Bowlus

Compared to the company's previous models, the new electric model has increased battery and freshwater storage capacities …

Compared to the company
Bowlus

… and the ability to charge while it's both parked and being towed using its "AeroSolar" system, allowing the trailer to stay off-grid indefinitely, according to its maker.

… and the ability to charge while it
Bowlus

And it wouldn't be a Bowlus without interior luxury amenities like heated floors, bright wooden walls and ceilings, and a hotel room-like bathroom.

And it wouldn
Bowlus

Inside the kitchen, there's an induction cooktop, a sink with an extendable faucet, a refrigerator-freezer, and a battery-powered microwave, among other amenities.

Inside the kitchen, there
Bowlus

Meals made here can then be eaten in the living room lined with seats that can turn into two separate dining tables, seating up to four hungry travelers.

Meals made here can then be eaten in the living room lined with seats that can turn into two separate dining tables, seating up to four hungry travelers.
Bowlus

The bedroom is just past this living room. Here, there's an en-suite bathroom and twin beds that can turn into one king mattress.

The bedroom is just past this living room. Here, there
Bowlus

This obviously won't cut it for a family of four. So to sleep two additional people, the multi-purpose living room's sofa and armchair can convert into two additional beds.

This obviously won
Bowlus

And if you're an on-the-go digital nomad, you're in for a treat: The Volterra also has Starlink connectivity, a service more RV makers are now integrating into their builds.

And if you
Bowlus

Source: Insider

Starlink is a big plus, but Volterra's biggest sell is definitely its electrification.

Starlink is a big plus, but Volterra
Bowlus

To support all of these interior amenities, the travel trailer has energy systems like an increased lithium ion phosphate battery capacity and the ability to charge its electric tow vehicle up to an additional 65 miles.

To support all of these interior amenities, the travel trailer has energy systems like an increased lithium ion phosphate battery capacity and the ability to charge its electric tow vehicle up to an additional 65 miles.
Bowlus

And it's these electrification systems that could make the Volterra a hot product for the travel trailer company.

And it
Bowlus

"We've already seen incredible reception for the Volterra and we expect that to continue and definitely be our best seller," Long said.

"We
Bowlus

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