Renault and Opel be part of the electrical camper van celebration
An array of electrical camper vans will likely be launched in coming years, with Renault and Opel the most recent to showcase sustainable way of life choices.
The recipe contains pure battery energy, cheap vary, sleeping for 2 or 4, and embarrassingly daft (sorry, enjoyable lifestyley) mannequin names.
Anybody for Caviar?
First, the Renault Hippie Caviar Motel (actually), based mostly on the Kangoo L2 E-Tech Electrical.
It’s to be totally revealed in showcar type at subsequent month’s IAA Transportation occasion in Germany, touted as “a cellular shelter for adventurers and sports activities fanatics who love the outside.”
Its 90kW motor with 45 kWh battery pack provides a claimed vary of 285km. Not sufficient to take you deep into the wilds, however including 170km by means of optimum charging – it’s in a position to DC recharge as much as 80kW – ought to take solely half-hour.
No inside pictures but to point out how cosy it is going to be (the Kangoo’s a small van), however we’re promised “a number of good storage areas” and eco goodness comparable to cabinets and flooring fabricated from recycled tyres and cork.
After you fold down the inside bench to make it a mattress, you possibly can benefit from the stars by means of the camper’s panoramic roof (proven above).
Luxurious lodging
This time final 12 months, Renault showcased its Trafic-based Hippie Caviar Resort (Resort…not Motel, because it’s greater) showcar, additionally totally electrical. The mid-sized electrical Trafic is ready to go on sale in Europe later this 12 months, however there’s no phrase when it might arrive in our market.
The Hippe Caviar Resort’s inside has been proven, revealing a bench seat that may be transformed into an virtually Queen-sized mattress (145cm x 195cm). It may possibly slide out of the rear hatch must you want to slumber below the celebs.
The bench seat and nook armchair assist create a lounge-type space when the mattress’s stowed, and it does look somewhat fancy. A rooftop terrace with espresso desk may be accessed by way of an extractable ladder. Good contact.
Eco goodness comes from a wicker-effect dashboard; linen and wool pure fibres, ‘unique’ wooden and plant-based foam.
No phrase on when manufacturing variations could land in Australia, however with Renault Australia’s dedication to an electrical future, and the Aussie love of the nice outside, the French model’s electrical campers would certainly entice native consumers.
The German alternate options
Mercedes-Benz has proven a tenting model of its EQV van in Europe, and now Opel has revealed its all-electric Crosscamp Flex – a reputation that seems like a tortuous muscle-building retreat.
Based mostly on the Zafira-e Life and due on the market in 2023, there’s a stable 322km WLTP driving vary plus sleeping for 4.
Bettering the Renault’s specification, Opel makes use of a 75kWh battery and its 100kW cost fee means it will possibly go from 5-80 % cost in a claimed 48 minutes.
Tenting specification appears to be like spectacular. The entrance seats rotate by means of 180-degrees; there’s a kitchenette, wash basin, gasoline cooker and fitted cabinets.
The rear bench seat turns right into a double mattress, whereas two extra beds below a rising roof means there’s enjoyable for 4.
And what of Volkswagen; originators of the mass-market camper van? The eagerly-awaited modern-day Kombi-like ID.Buzz – doubtlessly hitting Australia by 2024 – ought to finally have an all-electric ID.California camper van variant.
Whereas there’ll be inevitable challenges with all-electric vary in a camper van, the zero-emissions and silent working has apparent attraction.
Sustainable tenting isn’t straightforward with a clattering diesel engine, and nature’s atmosphere is considerably challenged whenever you hearth up the generator to maintain your beer fridge cool.
