EarthCruiser has always designed its products to be as efficient as possible with resources on board. This means we don’t have to carry large amounts of fuel or have massive heavy battery banks that require a larger payload chassis. These design fundamentals of doing more with less have always led to lighter-weight builds and greater MPG (miles per gallon). Range and aerodynamics are extensively considered in the exterior shape and design lines for EarthCruiser products as well.
When designing the Terranova, we spent a lot of time seeing how close we could position the house to the cab to eliminate turbulence gaps while still allowing safe clearances on multiple chassis types for frame flex and independent movement. The overall length of the over-cab section of the Terranova and the slope in the front is intended to match the truck’s profile. It lands in a place that never gets too far out in front of the windshield, even on different length wheelbases, while maintaining a large enough bed on the interior. All these considerations lead to an extra point or two in the MPG column, and we know how much that can matter.
The Overlanding industry has had some simple solutions while using ICE (internal combustion engine) powertrains. Need more range? Get a bigger fuel tank. Need to carry more gear? Get a bigger payload chassis and build a bigger house on the back. Want to use your electronics for longer? Add more batteries. In recent years the EV (electric vehicle) trend has been impossible to ignore. With the “all in” approach that major automotive OEMs are taking toward EVs, they face some interesting challenges. Many ask, “With range anxiety being the leading reason for slowing down EV adoption, how are we supposed to release a truck that can’t even carry a camper without massively reducing range?”. The answer to that question is that the OEM automaker and the final stage manufacturer or camper builder must meet halfway. That builder has to start considering things like shape and aerodynamics because we can’t just add a bigger fuel tank. They have to consider the weight and materials used in the construction because they can’t just give you a bigger truck with higher payloads. They have to consider the efficiencies of their onboard systems because you can’t just keep adding larger water tanks or more batteries due to weight restrictions.
EarthCruiser looked at this new market and said, “Check, check, and check.” We are not the only ones who have noticed either, exciting news is coming, and we are getting noticed for these same things in a very big way. Keep an eye out and be sure to consider all these things as you start looking at longevity and near-future requirements in an overland build. Whether you still use an ICE powertrain or are all in on electric, EarthCruiser will let you go further and stay longer.
