RVEX from Coachmen: Exploring a Practical and Affordable Electric Motorhome

Introducing the New RVEX from Coachmen

Coachmen recently launched its new electric motorhome model, the RVEX, classified as a Class B vehicle. This model is built on General Motors’ BrightDrop delivery truck platform, combining energy efficiency with the practical design of mobile vehicles.

Technical Specifications and Driving Range

One of the standout features of the RVEX is its use of the largest available Ultium battery pack from BrightDrop, allowing the vehicle to achieve an estimated driving range of around 270 miles on a full charge. This demonstrates its capability for relatively long trips without frequent recharging, a key factor when considering electric motorhomes.

Pricing Compared to Competitors

The RVEX targets an approximate price of $150,000, making it more affordable than some competitors that also use the BrightDrop platform. This suggests that this technology could become accessible to a wider range of buyers, especially those who find converting traditional vehicles to electric too costly.

Comparison Between the RVEX and Grounded’s G3

Grounded offers the G3 model as the closest competitor to the RVEX, which is built on the BrightDrop platform. It comes in several versions with approximate prices ranging from $165,000 to $200,000 depending on selected specifications. Although both vehicles share the same BrightDrop 600 chassis, there are significant differences in interior material design and cost.

Innovation in Weight Reduction and Performance Enhancement

Coachmen has utilized innovative lightweight materials to reduce vehicle cost without compromising functional performance. The company collaborated with Genesis Products to design lighter cabinets, panel systems, and interior components. According to Genesis, these efforts resulted in a 45% reduction in cabinet weight, saving approximately 290 pounds compared to traditional motorhome construction.

This weight reduction not only provides economic benefits but also enhances the driving range and overall efficiency of the electric vehicle, making it more competitive in the market.

Design Focuses on Function Over Form

The RVEX does not hide its practical boxy shape, as Coachmen retained the angular profile of the BrightDrop commercial truck to maximize interior volume and simplify interior construction. While traditional motorhomes often lose space due to curved edges and decorative features, the RVEX makes use of every cubic inch for living space or storage.

Exterior Details and Lighting

The exterior maintains BrightDrop’s distinctive front fascia with a wide windshield and modern LED lighting. Large side windows provide abundant natural light, a notable improvement over commercial trucks that typically have sealed windows. The design prioritizes practicality over luxury, reflecting the vehicle’s appeal to adventurous users rather than luxury seekers.

Innovation in the Rear Door

One of the RVEX’s standout innovations is its rear door, replacing the traditional system with a two-part solution:

• Upper Section: An electrically tinted glass panel allowing control of light and privacy at the touch of a button.
• Lower Section: A traditional hinged door for entry, creating a new connection between the interior and exterior compared to conventional RVs with small windows and solid walls.

Comfort in the Front Doors

The vehicle retains the BrightDrop truck’s sliding front doors for easy side access. The front passenger door has been upgraded with an electric mechanism operable via the control panel or remote, adding convenience and flexibility over the usual manual operation.

Performance and Real-World Range

The RVEX uses the BrightDrop 600 platform with the Max Range battery option, ranging between 172–173 kWh depending on Ultium configurations. The company estimates a driving range of approximately 270 miles for the fully equipped vehicle, reflecting the added weight and systems, not the base truck’s number.

Power and Reliability

The RVEX features dual electric motors with all-wheel drive, producing 300 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing acceleration and stability under all weather conditions, a crucial factor when driving a fully loaded vehicle across varied terrain.

Charging and Long Trips

DC fast charging can add approximately 160 miles in one hour under ideal conditions, with reports indicating that the BrightDrop platform can sometimes reach charging rates near 120 kW. This information is critical when planning long trips, as charging stops affect the schedule and campsite arrival times.

Off-Grid Power

For extended camping trips, the RVEX includes:

• 1,000 watts of solar panels.
• A 48V home battery system with 1,000 Ah capacity to operate appliances without relying on charging stations.
• 50-amp campground connection where available, preserving the main battery’s energy for driving, lighting, the refrigerator, and climate control systems.

Modern Interior Design

The RVEX departs from traditional RV aesthetics that rely on wood veneers and brass fittings, opting for a cleaner, more modern design. Cabinets use lightweight materials from Genesis Products with contemporary finishes, while corrugated metal panels add an industrial touch without increasing weight compared to conventional wooden construction.

Practical Kitchen and Flexible Living Space

The kitchen runs along one side in a galley-style layout, increasing central living space and making movement within the vehicle easier. It includes a stove, convection microwave, and 12-volt refrigerator, enabling travelers to prepare full meals during their trips.

Self-Sufficiency for Long Trips

Coachmen supports the system with an 18-gallon fresh water tank and a gray water system connected to the bathroom, allowing for a self-sufficient living environment without the need for campground hookups, an important feature for long trips or off-grid camping.

Sleeping and Lounge Area Design

The configuration of the dual sofas defines a flexible sleeping area, as the rear lounge converts into a king-size bed, providing comfort for solo travelers or couples. The design combines beige upholstery with wood accents to create a warm interior, moving away from the old-fashioned traditional RV patterns.

Multi-Purpose Lounge Use

When not used for sleeping, the sofas provide comfortable seating for dining, working, or relaxing, with clear views through large side windows and the electrically tinted rear glass, enhancing interaction with the surrounding environment and making the living space more versatile.

Practical Design Approach with Cost Consideration

Coachmen’s practical design approach demonstrates how it achieved savings compared to the more expensive Grounded G3. The G3 underwent what the company describes as a “complete reimagining from the ground up,” featuring an aluminum chassis, concealed appliance tracks, and extensive options for color and material customization.

Comparison Between the Two Strategies

In contrast, the RVEX follows a practical path, with visible functional elements and a standard finish focused on performance and efficiency. Both strategies serve the market effectively but target different buyer segments:

• If you value custom finishes and hidden appliances, the G3 justifies its higher price.
• If your focus is on practical space and reliable support from an experienced motorhome manufacturer, the RVEX delivers this directly at a more accessible price.

Practical Driver’s Cabin

The cockpit retains the standard layout of the BrightDrop truck, including an 11.3-inch central touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Coachmen added an extra passenger seat for travel comfort, a practical upgrade compared to the single driver seat in the commercial truck. The driver’s seat is positioned high with excellent visibility, maintaining urban maneuverability despite the added living space.

Comparison with Competitors

Grounded’s G3, one of the closest competitors built on the BrightDrop platform, comes in versions priced between $165,000 and $200,000 for fully equipped models. In comparison, the RVEX’s target price of $150,000 stands out as a low-cost production vehicle from a well-known RV manufacturer.

Grounded’s high-end vehicles focus on custom interior designs and extensive personalization options, whereas Coachmen’s approach emphasizes larger scale, material engineering, and standardization to reduce costs while maintaining performance. Each model therefore targets a different buyer segment:

• Grounded: For those seeking a custom-built electric RV experience.
• Coachmen RVEX: For those looking for support from a trusted dealer network, warranty coverage, and availability of spare parts from a proven brand.

The base BrightDrop 600 model, used by both companies, has a total driving range that varies depending on configuration. The RVEX’s estimated 270-mile range, and a similar figure for the G3, reflects real-world conditions, as maximum distance decreases after adding living space, systems, and passengers compared to the empty truck.

Added Value for Electric RV Life

Electric motorhomes pose a unique challenge, as range anxiety increases when the vehicle doubles as your mobile home, and standard charging stations may not accommodate the RV’s size and energy needs.

The RVEX addresses this by integrating:

• Solar panels for self-generated power.
• A large home battery to operate interior appliances without depleting the main drive battery.

This separation between driving power and auxiliary power is crucial, as RV drivers worry not only about reaching the next charger but also about running the refrigerator, water pump, and climate control system overnight.

Price and Practical Cost

The $150,000 target price positions the RVEX competitively within the traditional motorhome market while offering the benefits of electric propulsion:

• Lower operating costs.
• Quieter driving experience.
• Reduced maintenance compared to diesel alternatives.

This pricing flexibility also allows for budget allocation toward installing home charging equipment or additional accessories such as awnings, bike racks, or advanced solar panels.

Reliance on a Trusted Manufacturer

Coachmen’s approach demonstrates that electric motorhome prices can be practical and affordable through strategic material choices and engineering efficiency rather than accepting high pricing alone. With 60 years of experience and financial backing from Forest River and Berkshire Hathaway, the RVEX ensures consumer protection, providing a reliable dealer network and parts supply chain compared to small startups that may disappear after a short period.

Key Considerations Before Purchasing an Electric RV

If you are considering buying an electric RV, there are several points to check to ensure a comfortable and efficient experience:

Check Charging Speeds and Routes

It is important to verify real-world charging speeds for your travel routes, as the 120 kW charging limit can affect trip planning more than advertisements claiming a full charge in one hour might suggest.

Monitor Dealer Pricing and Options

Always check dealer prices and purchase options, as target prices may not match actual showroom numbers after adding destination fees or dealer markups.

Compare Specifications with Competitors

Compare specs for each model against competitors such as the Grounded G3 to understand whether the price difference reflects missing features or simply different model approaches.

Practical Value of the RVEX

While the RVEX may not break range records or win design awards, it offers a practical and economical solution for those for whom expensive custom conversions or startup pricing are out of budget, making ownership of an electric RV accessible to a broader range of buyers.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

From a design and built environment standpoint, the RVEX represents a notable step in exploring how mechanical engineering and modern materials can support a more flexible mobile lifestyle. This opens the door to thinking about spatial and functional adaptability within small spaces, a central topic in contemporary architectural design. The use of lightweight materials and a practical interior layout demonstrates how efficiency can be enhanced while preserving essential functions, potentially inspiring architects when designing mobile housing units or adaptable urban spaces.

However, the primary focus on practical performance and cost often comes at the expense of aesthetic experience and fine details in interior and exterior spaces. The boxy, functional approach may limit architectural creativity in façade design and spatial interaction with light and the surrounding environment, elements that are often carefully crafted in residential and commercial building projects. Moreover, reliance on a specific dealer network and standardized materials makes the user experience relatively constrained compared to fully customized vehicles, reflecting a challenge similar to balancing standardization and creativity in building design.

Overall, the RVEX can be viewed as a practical case study in applying material- and space-saving design principles within a mobile product. It provides a foundation for considering how performance and practical functionality can be integrated with architectural innovation, while acknowledging that challenges related to aesthetic identity and creative flexibility remain present.

Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team

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