Yes we certainly are all different. An electric car would be perfect for most of my running around, but they are priced way out of my league and if I had one I would need a second vehicle.
As I am retired and with very limited means I can only afford one vehicle, and that vehicle has to meet all my needs. My absolute maximum budget is about £4,000 and I try not to go that high if I can help it because it involves borrowing. I had to do it with my current car. It must have a high seating position due to my back problems, be capable of taking me to the supermarket 3 miles away (when Covid is out of the way), and it has to be capable of towing a 1 tonne caravan on a 100+ mile journey with plenty of power in reserve. Running costs are not a major factor as my overall annual mileage is quite low, but initial purchase price is. Therefore unfortunately no electric car comes anywhere near meeting all my needs, so I run a diesel X Trail which does.
Quote: Originally posted by Goodintentions on 23/1/2021
Has anyone on here got an electric Campervan? If so do you find there are sites with charging points, or do you have to use public ones?
Does the battery eat into the storage space?
Many thanks.
I'll try to answer the questions you raise above.
I doubt it! Like all special interest forums this has regular contributors and whilst there have been long running threads on the Life in General forum about EVs with posts from owners, enthusiasts and petrolheads who wouldn't be seen dead in one, no one has every posted that they own an electric campervan.
No! This came up on the EV threads. At least one of the two camping clubs states in their terms & conditions that it in not allowed. Nobody reported that they had seen EV charging points on a campsite. No doubt it will come, as it would provide another revenue stream for the site.
No! Campervans and motorhomes are based on commercial vehicles where load space = money. Batteries are generally fitted underneath this may limit the amount of space available for underslung water and waste tanks.
You could try asking your first question on the more specialised motorhome forums. OutandAboutLive has the most serious contributors, very knowledgeable, well up on the tech., the nerds of motorhomes would be the polite way of describing them. MotorhomeFun the name says it all. However most members of both forums seem to be into long distance touring in Europe and beyond, so diesel engines. Be warned!
My thoughts on the NV200. It's getting recommended here because it seems to be the only electric campervan that is readily available. However what is actually happening is around three converters do the IC engined version and offer the EV option as their kit fits both.
The problem with the NV200 is its size. It's smaller than the T5 that you
own or owned. I'd have one (IC engine) for solo use but for a couple I'd find it too small.
The Vauxhall Vivaro e might be an option, especially if the high roof body is available. Plenty of the IC engined ones have been converted to campervans.
------------- Never argue with fools........They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Quote: Originally posted by billy on 25/1/2021
If you want an electric camper then it appears your only option is the small Nissan. Otherwise look on Ford van website. Transit is available in plug in hybrid. This has petrol engine & up to a 35mile range on battery which might suit you. I notice Ford also now offer a ready built campervan & probably could be specified in plug in hybrid. How about that ?
There are a few others. I wouldn’t consider a plug-in hybrid. When we did the research before buying our car we initially considered these but decided they offered the worst of both worlds!
Quote: Originally posted by Goodintentions on 23/1/2021
Has anyone on here got an electric Campervan? If so do you find there are sites with charging points, or do you have to use public ones?
Does the battery eat into the storage space?
Many thanks.
I'll try to answer the questions you raise above.
I doubt it! Like all special interest forums this has regular contributors and whilst there have been long running threads on the Life in General forum about EVs with posts from owners, enthusiasts and petrolheads who wouldn't be seen dead in one, no one has every posted that they own an electric campervan.
No! This came up on the EV threads. At least one of the two camping clubs states in their terms & conditions that it in not allowed. Nobody reported that they had seen EV charging points on a campsite. No doubt it will come, as it would provide another revenue stream for the site.
No! Campervans and motorhomes are based on commercial vehicles where load space = money. Batteries are generally fitted underneath this may limit the amount of space available for underslung water and waste tanks.
You could try asking your first question on the more specialised motorhome forums. OutandAboutLive has the most serious contributors, very knowledgeable, well up on the tech., the nerds of motorhomes would be the polite way of describing them. MotorhomeFun the name says it all. However most members of both forums seem to be into long distance touring in Europe and beyond, so diesel engines. Be warned!
My thoughts on the NV200. It's getting recommended here because it seems to be the only electric campervan that is readily available. However what is actually happening is around three converters do the IC engined version and offer the EV option as their kit fits both.
The problem with the NV200 is its size. It's smaller than the T5 that you
own or owned. I'd have one (IC engine) for solo use but for a couple I'd find it too small.
The Vauxhall Vivaro e might be an option, especially if the high roof body is available. Plenty of the IC engined ones have been converted to campervans.
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 25/1/2021
The Nissan is certainly not to my liking for a number of reasons, poor range, lack of toilet/shower and cramped space primarily, most reasons can be levelled at small van based camper of all types anyway, but the range is the real killer, but everyone to their own and all that, dull world if we all wanted the same.
With a £60k investment involved though, I'd be seriously concerned about it's potential to sell on when the time comes! How many other people are really going to want a camper with a hundred or so mile range? The limited range almost flies totally in the face of the concept of a camper IMHO, not exactly freedom to roam! If you can afford to virtually write off/are prepared to gamble £60k, then I wish you well.
IMHO with perhaps the Tesla models as the exception, currently electric vehicles are still stuck in the city with limited mileage and/or multiple recharge points available. We need an as yet undiscovered technology for vehicles to substitute for petrol/diesel engines, OR, we need to change our lifestyles back to the days of the horse as primary transport where journeys were relatively short or done with a relay of 'vehicles' (horses).
The mixing of old lifestyles and expectations with newer technologies is not looking promising at the moment IMHO!
There are actually charging stations up and down the land, so definitely not stuck in the city.
We’re in no hurry and would never consider buying a new vehicle so as we did with our car, we’d wait and buy second hand. By then battery tech will have increased the range, which isn’t an issue for us anyway. Plenty of campervanners (not motorhomers) are like us: use the vehicle to get to destination then don’t move it for the week.
VW has eVans in its pipeline, however, I doubt if they would be available any time soon!
I looked into getting an electric VW Crafter early last year when I was spec'ing my van and decided against it due to the high cost, uncertain lead time and the range on one charge.
Even if an eVan is available now, I doubt if there is sufficient camp sites with on-site charging facilities to make it worth while.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 26/1/2021
VW has eVans in its pipeline, however, I doubt if they would be available any time soon!
I looked into getting an electric VW Crafter early last year when I was spec'ing my van and decided against it due to the high cost, uncertain lead time and the range on one charge.
Even if an eVan is available now, I doubt if there is sufficient camp sites with on-site charging facilities to make it worth while.
DK
Thank you. It’s all a bit chicken and egg, unfortunately. Campsite owners are only going to install charging points if there’s a demand, and campers are only going to invest if there are charging points.
I guess it would be feasible to manage without as long as there was one nearby, especially as we tend not to use the van for local transportation once on site.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Electric Campervan?
via mobile 25/1/2021 at 6:39pm
