Hybrid technology nudges more 4wd and adventure RV builders to dip their toes into hot water - Aus J Hot Water Solutions

25 Jun 2025 10:27 AM

Automotive cognoscenti already know hybrid cars are becoming much more popular in Australia. In early 2023, hybrids made up just over 6% of new car sales. By the end of 2024, that number had jumped to nearly 15%, says the Australian Fleet Management Association.

 

But what is more interesting to ardent 4wd adventurers, campers, and DIY and OEM RV vehicle builders are trends emerging under the surface of these figures, as more 4wd, ute, and dual cab hybrids arrive on these shores, says Jay King, who is one of country’s leading manufacturers of 12V/240V onboard RV and marine water heaters.

 

“We are seeing the beginning of a surge toward electric 4wd, with hybrids leading the change in the form of the latest offerings from the likes of Chinese manufacturers like BYD, GWM and the Jaecoo J7 PHEV, a semi-off-road SUV from Chery. Established 4wd leaders such as Toyota and Ford see the trend – Toyota has announced a first move with the RAV4 PHEV 4wd and Ford has committed itself with its 2026 4wd Ranger PHEV.”

 

The arrival of vehicles like these will mean fundamental changes to the way OEM and DIY builders approach their task, because of the greater amount of battery power and infrastructure available to them. Rather than having to deal with the weight, complexity and cost of having to plumb for two different types of energy typically used in 4wd and camping vehicles – electricity and sources such as gas or LPG – there will be a shift to single-source energy vehicles using clean, green and safe electric energy, says Jay, whose company, Aus J Hot Water Solutions, has manufactured tens of thousands of both gas and electric water heaters.

 

Jay’s comments complement the beliefs of one of Australia’s best known adventure travellers, Pat Callinan, who has closely followed the evolution of PHEV and electric vehicles and believes a single energy source, electricity, is the choice for hot water systems of the future, 

 

"With my vehicle builds over the years, I've spent thousands building reliable 12-volts systems with fancy inverters to power my devices. Now, vehicles like the Ford Ranger PHEV have the 12-volt equivalent of a 963AH system built in! So I can simply connect something like my Duoetto hot water system to a water tank, plug it in, and off I go. No added accessories, no added labour costs - just pure power. What's more, the engine can act as a generator, so remote power is no problem either. It makes accessorizing for comfort pretty damn easy," says Pat, whose 4X4 Adventures feature on Channel 10 and BOLD as well as digital and print media.

 

Jay King says the ascent of electric hot water heating for adventure travelling lays to rest a furphy he has encountered for years (while selling tens of thousands of his electric products to OEM and DIY RV builders) that 12V water heating will drain the battery quickly compared with other appliances in an-all electric RV, caravan or boat.

 

“Yes, water heating does draw higher amperage than a 12V fridge, for example, which typically draws only 3.5 amps. But the point is the fridge draws that amperage every hour, whereas a good hot water design might draw 25 amps to provide showers for three people (10L) – but it would only need to do it for one hour. So the typical load per day is far less than a fridge.

 

“Plus, new types of lithium batteries and solar power have expanded the market for dual battery/mains powered hot water systems and induction cooking. So the technology is moving permanently towards better performance and greater adoption of electric power, both in hybrids and ultimately pure electric vehicles,” he says.

 

“In the battle for future recreational vehicle construction and fitout, electric power is winning not only because of its environmental and safety consideration, but also because it is so much easier to plumb a vehicle for one source of energy – especially when vehicles such as hybrids and pure electrics have the reserves of power and electrical systems already built in to handle tasks such as heating water, cooking, cleaning, and all the necessities of life on the road.”

About us:

 Aus J (www.ausj.com.au) offers a range of innovative gas and electric water heaters with models for domestic, commercial and recreational applications. For further information, please call mob 61 - 419 993 042 or email [email protected]  ABN 30 114 298 627

Contact details:

Jack Mallen-Cooper
PR Consultant
Whyte Public Relations
(02) 9901 4306
[email protected]

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