EXCLUSIVE: Lordstown Motors Says Electric RV Prototype on Track

A picture of the Lordstown Motors logo

In December, Lordstown Motors and Camping World announced plans to create electric RV prototypes by the summer. Thursday, Lordstown said those plans remain on track, with June as the units’ target unveiling date.

The all-electric RVs will be based on the company’s Endurance platform. Design details will be revealed in the coming months, Lordstown spokesperson Ryan Hallett said.

Production is expected to begin in 2022’s second half. Lordstown said in December it expected customer availability as soon as 2021.

“Based on the Endurance platform, the van will utilize hub motors to achieve all-wheel drive and low ground clearance, and have a class-leading range,” Lordstown stated.

The companies plan to price the van competitively with comparable internal combustion-based vans, Lordstown stated.

The Ohio-based manufacturer highlighted additional commercial, operational and strategic development updates, including a multi-year supplier agreement with LG Energy Solution.

“We have multiple supplier agreements, which enables us to establish a high-quality, long-term battery cell supply chain that will power the Endurance for years to come,” Hallett said.

The Lordstown Endurance is anticipated to be the world’s first mass-produced, all-electric pickup truck this year.

“We are hard at work in the factory preparing to begin Beta builds in the coming weeks,” CEO Steve Burns said. “With this step on the horizon, we remain on track to meet our September start-of-production timeline while continuing to see indicators of strong demand for an all-wheel drive, full-size electric pickup truck with 250 miles of range from commercial, government and military fleets.”

In addition to Lordstown-owned service centers, the company is continuing evaluation of service centers in partnership with Camping World, which will ensure national coverage to all Lordstown vehicles, the company stated.

Other developments include the initial metal stamping and welding of the Endurance’s Beta prototypes, which will be used for crash, engineering and validation testing, the company stated. The first Beta vehicle is expected to be completed in March.

“The company also expects some of these vehicles may be sent to some initial customers for their feedback,” Lordstown stated. “The Lordstown Endurance has already achieved a 5-Star crash test rating via software crash simulation.”

Lordstown Motors recently was added to the U.S. General Services Administration listing, the company stated, acting as the first step toward an ability to sell to government fleets.

“With this step complete, the company has started its outreach to state and local government entities, including the U.S. military,” the company stated. “[Lordstown] believes these markets represent a significant opportunity for the Endurance and follow-on products.”

The company noted that construction continues on its 800,000-square-foot propulsion renovation at Lordstown’s 6.2 million-square-foot Ohio headquarters.

“Completion of the first stage of the previously announced facility, which will house production lines for advanced battery packs and hub motors, is expected in time for the planned start of production of the Endurance in 2021,” the company stated. “When completed, Lordstown Motors expects the facility to be one of the largest of its kind in the U.S.”

Lordstown stated it expects to increase internal staff headcount to more than 1,000 individuals by the year’s end, focusing on positions in manufacturing, engineering, marketing, sales, facilities, human resources, IT, supply chain, accounting and finance.

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