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April 14, 2021
10 Best Electric Campervan Models – Have a Greener Future!
Behold the wonder of an electric campervan! As drivers are encouraged to be more climate-conscious, and vehicle manufacturers strive to meet emissions targets, an increasing number of cars on our road are hybrid or electric vehicles.
The goal in the UK is to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035. Long-term, zero emission campers will be the only new campers to buy and you can expect public perception of old diesels and petrol vehicles to gradually become less accepting as electric takes over.
Options for zero emissions driving are already increasing dramatically. Electric campervans can give you the freedom to travel without damaging the planet, so every trip can be guilt-free and you can avoid extra charges in low emissions zones.
Should you get an electric campervan?
Still something of a novelty, electric campervans certainly aren’t for everyone. The technology is still relatively new, though it is developing at speed and you can expect vast improvements in this space over the next few years.
You’re unlikely to be able to drive more than 100 miles without stopping for a charge which can put the limits on those who love to ramp up the distances, get to their destination, and then run lots of rural trips. However, with some careful planning, and an adapted road-life with stop overs at the growing number of charging stations, there’s no reason why you can’t use an electric campervan for a tour of Europe! Just plan your routes carefully, making sure that you’re never too far from a charging point. Use electric hook-up at sites wisely and take a more leisurely approach to covering the longer distances, as even a rapid charge is likely to take around 45 minutes.
Some electric campervans are ready to go, with everything you need already installed. But, in most cases, you’ll need to start your own campervan conversion project. This isn’t actually too dissimilar to the approach many take with a diesel or petrol camper, and by starting from scratch you get to make it just right for your needs. Make sure you budget for the conversion. You can go down the entire DIY route or approach specialist conversion companies to do the design and hard work for you.
There’s a slowly growing market of used electric campervans, but it is still limited. Keep your eye out but be aware that electric campers which have already been converted get snapped up quickly.
Why choose an electric campervan
Obviously there are the green credentials as a compelling argument for choosing an electric campervan. An increasing number of cities only allow vehicles with no carbon emissions, so potentially an electric camper will give you more scope for travel.
There are significant variables, but running an electric camper is considerably cheaper than their combustion engine counterparts. With rising fuel costs, an alternative is attractive. Vehicle to Grid
(V2G) technology is also improving, and you may be able to use your camper to both generate power and sell it back to the grid during peak demand.
Electric campervan costs
Expect to pay in the region of £35-55,000 for a new electric van. On top of this you will need to factor in conversion costs. These can vary enormously depending on the size of the van and the specification you choose. Conversion costs also depend on whether you go down the DIY route or pay a specialist to do the conversion.
While the initial outlay is more than buying a new combustion engine van, the running costs are considerably lower. A good rule of thumb is to expect it to cost 30% less to run. Remember also that the future of vehicles is electric, so you could reasonably expect an electric van to have a better resale appeal and value than a combustion engine one. Furthermore, maintenance costs are typically less as EVs have fewer moving parts.
Can I convert any electric van into a campervan?
For many, the joy of owning a camper isn’t just about van life on the road. Much pleasure can be had in the conversion and making it a home on wheels. The body of an electric van is not dissimilar to that of a standard van, so the world is your oyster when it comes to conversion. The biggest issue is likely to be the positioning of the traction batteries – these are typically beneath the floor. Your conversion will need to take this into account. Take care when screwing things into the floor or positioning waste-water outlets!
As with a standard conversion, you should be able to install an additional 12V electrical system, with a leisure battery, for running things within the van. You can charge this using solar power or from the vehicle’s starter battery. It can’t be charged via an alternator while you’re driving as you would in a petrol or diesel van.
Van conversions and electric vehicle ranges
When electric vehicles specify their range, this is based on favourable conditions. Typically, the van is run empty with just a driver. However, through conversion, you’ll be adding weight to the van. Bear this in mind and choose your conversion materials carefully. Additionally, factor in the contents and luggage that will be standard when using the van, and the number of passengers, to get a more realistic range.
What’s it like charging electric campervans?
We’ve already mentioned a little about how you might need to adapt your touring and driving approach to manage longer journeys with an electric campervan. Some things work in your favour. For example, you’ll be able to charge your electric campervan at home, at a campsite with electric hook-up as well as in places like private car parks. You won’t be forced to always ‘go for fuel’. But of course, charging takes longer than a trip to the pump. Even if you can find rapid charging points that fit in with your journey, you’re looking at 20-60 minutes for a full charge.
Where can I charge my electric campervan on the road?
Part of the beauty of van life is touring and the journey. You’ll need to be able to charge your electric vehicle on the road. Currently the UK has around 30,500 electric vehicle charging points and that number is growing all the time. In addition, we now have more charging locations than we do petrol stations, and this trend is continuing, so finding a place to charge should be getting easier.
New electric vans typically have a charging point map integrated within the sat nav. Zap Map can help you locate charging points.
The bigger issue comes if you want to take your electric campervan abroad. You’ll need to look into the availability of public charging points in the country you’re travelling to. Typically EU counties have fewer electric charging stations than the UK. You will have best luck travelling in the Netherlands, Germany and France. However, very few of the charging points have rapid chargers so it’s important to plan accordingly.
Here are the 10 best electric campervan models available in the UK today:
Source: New Atlas
If you have found an electric campervan that you are interested in buying or already own a campervan why not use our free service to compare campervan insurance quotes from multiple specialist insurers. You simply need to fill in one quick and easy form to receive quotes.
1: Volkswagen ID.Buzz
Source: Volkswagen
The classic VW camper has always been a favourite. Now, with the ID.Buzz, you’ll get something similar to the classic look with an all-electric campervan experience.
The Volkswagen ID.Buzz is based loosely on the enduring VW design. It looks like the VW camper that you already know and love, but designed for the modern world and upgraded in several big ways.
Though it’s not available to buy just yet, the ID.Buzz should be available to purchase by 2023. This futuristic vehicle features a comfortable interior, video screens and space for an adult of average height to stand in the back. This is definitely the electric camper to keep your eye on.
2: Nissan NV300
Source: Carscoops
Already available to buy, the Nissan NV300 is a mid-sized commercial van that’s a popular choice for conversion. This electric camper provides ample space for comfortable camping, along with the latest NissanConnect technology.
Though the Nissan NV300 is designed for commercial use, many campervan conversion companies are already rating it highly. Adding a pop top turns this Nissan van into one of the best electric campervans.
3: Dalbury E
Source: Fuelincluded
Another Nissan vehicle, the Dalbury E is a compact electric campervan that’s based on the NV300’s smaller cousin, the Nissan NV200. Despite its small size there’s still plenty of room to prepare food, eat food and sleep. The passenger seats swivel around to create a comfortable bed, whilst the battery can be charged quickly up to 80% in half an hour.
4: Mercedes eSprinter
Source: Autoexpress
An electric panel van that can easily be converted into a home away from home, the eSprinter is a large van with fast charging functionality. Like the Dalbury E, it can be charged up to 80% in 30 minutes.
Currently, this electric campervan could travel almost 100 miles per charge at a push. It’s not enough to tour the country, but great for a short break or local getaway. Of course, the range of this electric campervan will depend on how much you put inside it.
5: Ford E-Transit
Source: Autocar
Another long-term favourite, the Ford Transit can now be a spacious electric campervan. The Ford E-Transit is released for sale in 2022, with an impressive electric-only range of more than 200 miles. The van comes equipped, in its original form, with a 230-volt socket. It also includes an in-cab entertainment system with a large and colourful touchscreen.
6: Renault Kangoo Z.E.
Source: Autoexpress
If you’re happy with very limited space, you could consider joining the many happy campers that drive a Renault Kangoo. Now available as an electric van, the Kangoo provides enough space for sleeping and storing the basics. People have always loved Renault Kangoo campervans as they can easily be used as an everyday vehicle. The electric Kangoo Z.E. is no exception, with a battery that fully charges from flat in six hours.
7: Citroën ë-Berlingo
Source: Evans Halshaw
Another small electric van that can be converted into a cosy electric campervan, the Citroën ë-Berlingo was awarded 2019 International Van of the Year. This may not be the most exciting campervan, but it’s a sturdy and reliable choice that combines comfort and functionality. Many campervan conversion companies have plenty of Berlingo experience, so you should have no trouble turning this van into somewhere comfortable to sleep.
8: Volkswagen e-Transporter
Source: Electric Van and Truck
Whilst the all-electric ID.Buzz is similar to the classic VW campervan, the Volkwagen e-Transporter is another favourite for electric campervan enthusiasts. The Volkswagen Transporter has long been a popular van for campervan conversions, and though it doesn’t have that classic VW camper look it’s got plenty of space and great features. The electric version is very similar to the non-electric Transporter, so you’ll still get the same great overall aesthetic and room for all your belongings.
9: Vauxhall Combo-e
Source: Autoexpress
Vauxhall’s small electric van, the Combo-e is a great choice for campervan conversions. Space is tight, so you’ll need to pack light, but this reliable van can be used day-to-day and enjoyed when you’re at home or elsewhere. It has a driving range of more than 150 miles, with plenty of power for motorway driving when you want to get away for the weekend.
10: Peugeot e-Traveller
Source: Autoexpress
Peugeot’s e-Traveller is a spacious electric van that’s ready for campervan conversion. Remove the seats from this electric MPV and you’ve got an electric campervan complete with large windows, great interior space and a range of almost 150 miles when optimised. This vehicle has excellent handling, so it can take on the bumpy mountain roads just as easily as it handles cities.
Insuring your electric campervan
It’s essential to have the right insurance for your campervan so that you can rest assured and enjoy each and every trip. If you have found an electric campervan that you are interested in buying or already own a campervan, why not use our free service to compare campervan insurance quotes from multiple specialist insurers. You simply need to fill in one quick and easy form to receive quotes.
There’s still a way to go with electric campervans before they are the right choice for all campers. Be aware that things are changing rapidly though, so don’t set your thoughts in stone. As technology develops, many of the hurdles and disadvantages are being overcome. Electric vehicles are the way of the future, so we can expect them to shake up the camper market too.
