HYBRID-DRIVE CARAVANS:
A WORLD FIRST
Australian technology startup OzXCorp
has developed the world’s first hybrid drive
technology for a recreational vehicle. The system
was publicly launched at this year’s Victorian
Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow.
OzXCorp founder Andrew Huett said the
technology would allow a caravan to ‘push’ a car
up a hill, and deliver a better driving experience
across all types of terrain.
“One aspect of caravanning that remains a burden
on every driver is the constant reminder that your
caravan is affecting the performance of your
vehicle, fuel consumption and manoeuvrability,”
he said.
“Many adventurers opt to buy vehicles that
are equipped with significant engine capacity
and gross vehicle mass to mitigate the burden
of towing and power loss; however, this
improvement in driving experience comes at a
significant cost in the purchase of vehicle, fuel
and the environment.”
In essence, the technology – which is not yet
commercially available – comprises special
motors on each wheel that ‘drive’ the caravan,
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offsetting the ‘dead weight’ of the van so that the
load in lateral acceleration is reduced or, in some
cases, mitigated completely.
The motors are powered by an onboard 16kW/h
battery, which is charged by the energy that is
normally lost in braking. This battery can also be
charged off the tow vehicle via a DC-DC charger,
as well as solar on the van.
“Hybrid drive technology is not new but the
adaption of these principles to caravans is a
unique challenge by virtue of the caravan being
an autonomous vehicle,” Huett said.
Aside from mitigating the weight of the van when
towing, the system can be used when parking or
reversing the caravan.
A torque control feature puts the user in control of
their trailer from their mobile device at a maximum
speed of 2km/h, with the ability to crawl up and
over gutters, up and down driveways, and back
to your vehicle to re-hitch.
SAND AND MUD ASSIST
“Every keen adventurer will know that pulling
a trailer through mud and sand is risky, and