RV companies look to green tech.

Lane County's fragile recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturing industry could find hope in an unexpected place, green technology, writes Canadian Business.

The Eugene Register-Guard reports that RV manufacturer Country Coach has plans to develop a diesel-electric hybrid, but that plan will have to wait as the local luxury motor coach industry tries to survive.

Once an economic engine for the region, the industry was carrying sales that peaked at nearly 400 000 in 2006, but the recession sent purchases of RVs plummeting, reports Chicago Tribune.

Now, consumers want smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient models, and Oregon's luxury models need to change to meet that demand.

Others in the industry say developing greener RVs is a natural fit for Lane County, says The Register Guard.

“We are so big on solar and alternative energy,” says Shannon Nill, GM of Guaranty RV in Junction City.

He adds: “I do think Oregon is a hotbed of innovations of this nature, and there's no reason it can't apply to RVs it already is.”