Trailblazing Snowy River all-electric caravan coming

A potentially game-changing new Snowy River 'EV' caravan with next-level off-grid capability is set to be unveiled in Australia soon.

Snowy River Caravans CEO, Andrew Crank told caravancampingsales that an innovative new off-grid 'van fitted with a mega-battery pack that can be charged in multiple ways including regenerative braking while towing, will be on display at either the NSW Caravan Supershow in late-April or the Queensland Caravan Supershow in early-June.

Crank said the Snowy EV caravan has been developed over three years utilising the EV and battery manufacturing know-how of Snowy River's parent company the Gonow Group, which also builds tens of thousands of EV cars in China each year.

"We've developed an electric caravan, basically with a Tesla battery," the Melbourne-based Snowy River boss explained.

"We've finished three prototypes in China that we're currently testing, and we plan to have it on display, probably in Sydney. But it will be almost like a car show where we'll be displaying a futuristic (concept).

"The biggest problem with it is the weight of the battery detracts from your ability to tow it. So you have to get the battery technology to a low enough weight. Brake regeneration will recharge the battery (and) the battery has the capability to charge the car, or the car can charge the caravan."

Snowy River has previously talked about the development of a "trailblazing" new ERV caravan model, equipped with "intelligent technology" and an "autonomous driving system".

While full off-grid caravans are available in the US and 'e-axle' technology has been developed in Australia, a Snowy River 'EV' 'van would be the first of its type in Australia if it went into production.

However, it would be unlikely to feature other innovations like the 'range extender' hybrid tech seen on some overseas caravans.

"We're not looking at (petrol engine hybrid) as an option just yet," he said

Crank also revealed the big-selling Chinese/Aussie caravan brand will soon join major rival Jayco in offering a latest 48V lithium battery system on some of its off-road models.

Snowy River is waiting on battery components supplier Renogy to introduce a new 48V system before rolling it out to dealers.

"We'll have something on the market this year," he said.

With Jayco, Snowy River and other big RV brands getting on board a trend that kicked off around five years ago, Crank predicts 48V will become the new ''standard" for off-road caravans.

"I think 48V will be a positive change as it allows the battery to be a lot different but it adds cost; it's around a $10-$15grand upgrade to add 48V batteries and all the rest of it."

He said caravan buyers demanding more off-grid power, even on entry-level touring models, is also adding to the cost as well as the Tare weights of all new 'vans.

"We were ahead of the curve a couple of years ago when we made a 100Ah lithium battery standard. And now 300Ah lithium is almost standard now on an on-road 'van. That's a lot of battery for an on-road van," he said.

"We have our own battery plant and make our own (lithium) batteries. We currently make 100s and 200s and we've just started manufacturing 300s. I've just told them we have to start manufacturing the 48V (batteries); it's changing so quickly...

"(Soon) no-one is going to buy (caravans with 100Ah lithium batteries) any more. We think that market is dead."

Crank said Snowy River is looking into replacing its glossy full plywood furniture with lighter foam-filled PET cabinetry, similar to what cross-town rival On The Road Caravans has just done for its MY26 range.

It's part of a general 'weight loss' program being rolled out across the Snowy range, including plans to strip weight out of caravan chassis by using 'thinner' higher tensile steel.

"Weight is an issue because everyone wants more and more standard options. So now we've got a diesel heater, an inverter, 400Ah batteries, 800W solar as standard," he explained.

Another industry trend cutting into payloads are the flashy fabricated aluminium toolboxes and rear platform bars, pioneered by Aussie 'hardcore' 'van specialists Lotus and Titanium, which Snowy is now fitting to its MY26 Multi Terrain caravans.

"It adds weight and function but people also like the ruggedness of the look. That's the expectation now (on full-size off-road caravans)," he said.

"We found that out with our off-road range last year. Even though our off-road (sales) grew it didn't grow by much. And then we released (the new MY26 models) in October and it just went crazy. Just by making it look more aggressive looking.

"Obviously Lotus and Titanium are the aspiration for many (off-road) buyers so if we can look like them without being the same price..."

At the moment Snowy is not looking at solving the 'overloaded' problem by offering 4000kg-plus ATM caravans, that allow even more off-road gear to be added like solar awnings.

"The (RV brands) that get the weight right first, will be the brands that win," he said.

After selling 100 campervans in 2025 and introducing its first LDV Deliver 9 motorhome recently, Crank said Snowy River would continue to ramp up its motorised RV range in 2026.

It expects to have four more motorhome variants released before the end of the year: all on rear-wheel drive, car licence-friendly, 4500kg GVM cab-chassis platforms, including new 23ft Ford Transit and 24ft Iveco Daily motorhomes, and with different layouts including a new slide-out option.

With a new 'mini' caravan in the mix, he said Snowy River now had most popular RV segments covered, with a toy hauler unlikely due to being "too low volume".

Despite the post-COVID slowdown, Crank said Snowy River was continuing to establish itself as the 'No.2' RV brand in Australia, sales-wise, behind Jayco.

"We had a great 2025, we grew 37 per cent in what was a tough market, so we were very happy with that," he said.

"We got 3400 orders last year but we only delivered 2950; we had to push them forward into this year... This year we'll be producing 3500-3600".

He's also bullish for the Australian RV market in general, despite some economic grey clouds looming.

"We're seeing increased leads. We're seeing increased website interactions. Every show we've done this year we've sold more than last year.

"Even the interest rate rises; I don't think it's dampened enthusiasm too much. We haven't seen it.

"Speak to Stuart Lamont (Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO) and he will say we're gonna do 45,000 this year and I tend to agree with him."

According to CIAA stats there were 47,207 new RVs produced in or delivered to Australia in 2025, with almost 50 per cent (23,244) coming from overseas, mostly China.

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