Electric Vans: Are They a Sustainable Solution for VanLife?

We discuss electric vans and what could quite possibly become the future of vanlife. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!!

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[adityatiwari]

One big positive thing I see is there won't be a need to add separate batteries to your motor home. You can simply connect everything to the Van's gigantic battery. Could be a boon for time when you are not on the road or off-grid. But let's see what technical hurdles we have.

[GroundedRVs]

I'd add the BrightDrop Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 to this list - It's what we build our RVs on! They've got 270+miles of range, a huge interior (RV queen bed fits sideways and there's over 6 and a half feet of head room), a super modern design, and now they've got access to the Tesla Supercharger network too!

[alkohl]

I would consider it if the solar charge could charge it while I'm off grid

[lilianaprina]

I already have my eye on the Amazon Van, it is perfect. They are all extremely useful...

[nashdashflash]

I want a PHEV van w/ at least a 100 mile electric-only range, and a small/quiet onboard generator ('range extender') that can push overall range past 300 miles, and be refilled w/ gas every 200 miles to keep going without stopping to charge. (Like the Chevy Volt or BMW i3).

It would need the option to be able to save 10-20kwh of battery for when you're parked (start running off gas generator sooner). And it should support a 24v 3, 000kva inverter from the battery, preferably one you can swap out.

... Then you have a massive battery pack to run A/C, induction cooktop, fridge, and anything else you want without worry. With a backup generator for extended range and/or more battery power when boondocking. The little gasoline fuel tank (say 10-15gal instead of 25-31 in a typical van) would still be large enough to be used for heat in the winter as well.

If I could get that for < $100k USD, I'd buy one over a gas Transit or diesel Sprinter any day.

Edit: Of course this means a lot of people will just be running off gas for long trips... but they may be electric-only when they're near a destination for a few days, etc.

Also, the onboard generator charging the EV batteries for the RV motors is usually more efficient than a gas engine turning the transmission and wheels itself.

[sachmagill]

Yes defo would consider an electric van for van life.

[randyrice]

EV's seem like a great compliment to van life. Living in a smaller space, creating less pollution, less noise. I have an electric car and, more than anything, I LOVE how quiet it is. If all vehicles were electric, that roar you hear when you open your front door on a Monday morning would be, thankfully, gone.

I don’t get why those electric vans have such a small battery pack, while a Model S, or various other EVs have 100+ KWh battery.

I do think this is the future. Have a roof full of solar, with awnings with solar. Maybe some 1800 to 2400 W solar system. It would be amazing.

Parking AC and heating already built-in since it wouldn’t depend on belt driven compressor…. Hope this happens sooner than later

[mythicalnomadadventure]

Saving up to replace the fossil fuel Promaster with an electric van already. Will be sleeping at charging stations instead of rest stops.

[willburn]

YES! Mountain biking, camping, tail gating. I don't know what you couldn't do

[MrGeorgeAthanas]

What I’m looking for in an electric van is 1. Range 2. Solar roof and awning charging capability. 3. All wheel drive. 4. Water and waste water under floor locations. 5. An auxiliary component connection station.

[Monomorphic]

Need at least 300 miles of range. So I will hold out until then. The idea of an electric van with solar array on top that can charge the van is the ultimate vanlife dream. Plus most pay campsites have 50 amp connections.

[phillyvoodoo]

Canoo isn't solely for delivery There is a 3 year old video on YouTube from there channel that explains it is designed to be outfitted for every use case especially They have had mock ups of the rv and off road models for years now

[monkeysuncle]

Kanoo is just about ready to go out of business, but not before the CEO bought himself a private jet.

[truhartwood]

Very interested to see what Tesla comes out with. Word is they're working on a competitor to the Sprinter, Transit, etc. Probably won't be till around 2026-7 I'm guessing. But when it does it will probably be the best option on the market.

[smores]

I definitely want an electric van. I'm on my 2nd Nissan LEAF and my partner has the electric Hyundai Kona, Want to do van life, but won't do it using fossil fuel at all

[DanielMatulich]

Does this video need an update? The eSprinter made it from Vegas to Long Beach, which is about 275 miles, on a single charge.

[ericyuan]

Looking forward to a $33K Canoo delivery van. Too cheap, probably would come at around $40K USD. Can't trust what startup say about pricing. Canoo touts a separate adventure vehicle that has 4x4 but it's way too small for fulltime Vanlife

[MattAVC]

Would we be able to use the car battery for moving as the same battery for household functions too?

[shekharmoona]

Plasan could make a better van electric van especially with Watergen as a way to become more independent. Plasan also has the Attems system that can be used on motorhome or commercial trailers that recaptures energy.