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Calling it, “the world’s first power-generating RV,” California-based startup Evotrex has a new towable caravan concept that pairs efficient batteries with a small ICE powerplant to deliver an off-grid experience that’s a bit further away from home.
The company announced a $16 million Pre-A funding round last week, launching the Evotrex brand and its hybrid camper concept, and its founders, into the public eye.
“Evotrex exists to transform how people experience the outdoors,” said Alex Xiao, CEO and founder of Evotrex. “Our products are designed so adventurers don’t have to worry about electricity or range, no matter where their travels take them, even to the most remote locations. Whether you’re in the desert or deep in the mountains, being off the grid shouldn’t be uncomfortable.”
While gas- or propane-fueled ICE generators are nothing new in the RV or marine spaces, Evotrex takes the integration a step further. Instead of “just” using the ICE to generate power when there’s no grid connection, the Evotrex’ motor works together with energy sourced from regenerative braking and solar panels, while reclaiming waste heat for cabin warmth, water heating, and battery conditioning in cold weather — where battery efficiency and load, especially from cabin heating, tend to go in the wrong direction.
In effect, the Evotrex’ small engine becomes part of a closed-loop (or, more accurately, less open loop) energy system that minimizes waste and extends off-grid endurance with hybrid approach that speaks to the traditional RV idealism of self-sufficiency while borrowing lessons from modern EREVs’ thermal-management and range-extender design.
Cabin heat is the big one
And, if that’s not enough to convince you — it seems like more than enough to convince some energy storage industry heavyweights to back the upstart RV brand.
“Evotrex represents the future of mobile power,” said Steven Yang, founder of energy storage brand Anker. “As someone who has built companies that generate and deliver energy, I see the same potential here: the ability to fundamentally change how and where people access reliable power. This team isn’t just creating an RV trailer; they’re redefining what off-grid living and adventure can look like.”
Evotrex has about 40 employees so far, says Xiao. Evotrex’s CTO formerly led automotive R&D at Chinese automaker and Volvo parent company, Geely, while the startup’s COO (and a third co-founder) has held supply chain leadership positions at IBM, Lenovo, and Anker. The company plans to unveil the full production concept, along with specs and a better look at the interior, at January’s CES show.
Electrek’s Take
Towing a huge camper with an EV is always going to be a range-busting deal, and the more you add batteries to the RV the more the added mass will deplete range. I used to think that the answer was putting drive motors on the RV itself, like Airstream threatened to do back at CES 2022.
I still do, but I used to, too.
Until the rest of the industry finds its way to that noble truth, however, a well-integrated range extender that uses batteries where they make sense and an efficient, closed-loop heat cycle when they don’t will have to be the lesser of the available evils. We’ll see more at CES.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Evotrex; via Globe Newswire.
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