Recreational vehicle manufacturer Country Coach has announced plans to develop a new diesel-electric hybrid motor home. In so doing it hopes to join such other successful ‘green’ RV companies as Earthbound and EverGreen RV, both of which were conceived in the past few years to bring an eco-friendly approach to an industry predicated upon a love of the outdoors.

RV sales plummeted in the wake of the recession and many manufacturers are still struggling to sell their high-end luxury models. Consumers now want smaller, lighter, more fuel-efficient RVs that don’t empty their wallets, especially with gas prices as high as they are.

The EPA has already asked the pickup truck industry to make large changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the recreational vehicle market may be next in line. Clearly, any manufacturer that wants to remain competitive must get an early start on ‘green’ technology.