In the parking lot P1 of the exhibition center in Dusseldorf the Iridium motorhome barely stands out. Here, on the edge of the "Caravan Salon" (until 8.9.), As every year, the largest parking space in Europe for motorhome proven. Already before the first day of the fair hundreds of vehicles were already lined up: a white field with extended satellite dishes on the roofs and unfolded camping chairs in front of the doors. If the Iridium motorhome was not covered with lettering, hardly anyone would notice the world premiere of the first series electric motorhome. But as soon as the 4.25-ton vehicle sets in motion, it lifts off from the others - whispering.
With the first pressure on the streaming pedal the decisive difference becomes clear: Here drives a scooter. And the acceleration is amazing, especially considering the weight category of the touring vehicle. Yes, electromobility is fun even in big and heavy chunks. Even as a passenger, because we were only in the right seat on board - so there was more time to pay attention to the specifics of the vehicle.
While the living area of the Iridium model looks almost exactly the same as in all other motorhomes due to its classic layout, the background noise is completely different. From the engine only a slight humming penetrates into the interior, but you can hear how the tires roll off. Even at high speed on the highway conversations are not disturbed by a noisy combustor.
Suddenly there are unwanted noise
However: If the engine humming away, other penetrates all the more clearly in the ear. Or do the cabinets and drawers in other mobile homes click like that? If so, diesel would be an advantage - but that's not the case with iridium. Here must probably be created again hand, as well as in the cockpit, which also comes along a bit provisionally. The transmission, for example, is controlled by a nondescript toggle switch. "This will be changed," says Christian Klaiber, brand ambassador of Iridium and head of the Initiative Zukunftsmobilität. This initiative advises municipalities, energy suppliers and industrial companies on the turnaround on mobility.
Klaiber sits at the wheel of the demonstration vehicle. The Iridium electric motorhome will first demonstrate that the electric drive also fits in a travel vehicle. Klaiber takes care of publicity for Iridium at the "Caravan Salon". During the test drive, he reports on his Alpine test drive with the Iridium model, which has an 86 kWh battery with a range of around 320 kilometers.
In addition, Iridium will offer a second variant with 108 kWh battery (range 400 kilometers). According to Klaibers information, the smaller battery in a charging station with a type 2 plug is full again in about four hours. But if sitting area, table, kitchen and bed are in the immediate vicinity, such a break should not be a problem. And then you are the faster again on the way. Klaiber tried it. "If you can easily drive uphill on all other motorhomes, it's fun," he says.
Especially the charging stations are causing problems
"The car works, the range is quite sufficient and the charging infrastructure is now very good." Klaiber sees room for improvement only in the design of the e-filling stations, they are usually designed only for cars. "In addition, the pre-assembled cables are sometimes already too short for cars, then for a motorhome so much more."
The Iridium electric motorhome was developed by the company WOF GmbH, which actually sells motorhomes and has launched the Iridium brand. Numerous companies participated in the construction of the scooter. Maurer Fahrzeugbau supplies the commercial vehicle chassis, the drive comes from the company electric vehicles Stuttgart (EFA-S), a specialist in retrofitting, which has already adapted 200 trucks of the parcel delivery company UPS on electric drive. The company relies on LiFe batteries, which are considered by experts to be safer than lithium-ion batteries, and are popular among vehicles of higher weight classes. For additional efficiency and a little extra range, a recuperation system ensures energy recovery during braking.
The Iridium electric vehicle can be ordered now. Anyone who is quick can already go on vacation in the summer of 2020, because the first vehicles will be delivered by the second quarter at the latest, they say. The price of the vehicle: 159,900 euros. "It's like the e-cars too," says Klaiber, "in the beginning it's always a bit more expensive."
Target group are RV-interested, who are also open to innovation and maybe even drive an electric car. The interest in the fair was great. Klaiber has no doubt that the concept prevails. "This train called electromobility, which goes on and on," says the mobility consultant. "And he drives at different speeds in the different vehicle categories - and now also with the motorhomes."
