Delivery EV turned solar-powered campervan: 100% self-reliant

Believing solar vehicles were feasible beyond the lightweight Aptera and Lightyear One cars, Joel Gregory Hayes wanted to create an all-electric, solar-powered motorhome that despite its weight could travel the Pan-American Highway from the arctic circle in Alaska to the tip of Argentina.

With the help of Solarolla Electric Vehicles he converted an electric delivery truck (a 2010 International EStar) into an EV with 120kWhs of battery power that is capable of being charged on solar-only for a maximum range of 200 miles.

The 24,330W rooftop solar array can be deployed to track the sun. First, 2/3rds of the array that are normally hidden under the van’s main roof for driving can be slid out using winches. Then winches work to track the sun by tilting the array up to a 45° angle. There are also two satellite panels attached to the rear of the van that can be detached and manually maneuvered to track the sun.

The Route Del Sol vehicle requires developing a love of Slow Travel: it takes 20 hours to charge the array of flexible solar panels, which in places like Alaska during most of the year requires a few days of patience in one location. Hayes explains that this waiting is a part of the journey so the van is equipped with a nice kitchen - of course, fully electric and powered by the sun, including the 90-liter refrigerator and induction cooktop - and equipment like surfboards to turn waiting time into an adventure.

After spending a couple years making the journey from the Arctic Circle to Mexico, Route del Sol experienced a setback when all the solar panels blew off the roof during a particularly windy stretch of road in the Desert, in Baja California, Mexico. “Our entire solar array was ripped off the roof of the van and thrown over the side of the highway”. Joel explains that he had forgotten to tighten a key screw which often isn’t necessary, but under high winds is essential. Right now, the project is on pause as the team tries to raise money to repair the solar array and reassess how they want to proceed.

[caymandurham-vance]

I happened to meet Joel along his journey from Alaska through Northern California. As his van was charging he joined a group of us on a rafting adventure. He's a funny guy and a free spirit!

[Burroughsbikebuilds]

This was probably the best sales ad I’ve ever seen for the internal combustion engine.

[joeruiz]

This is just beautiful. Nice analogy to sailing over land and letting the wind/sun dictate the pace of life. Enjoy your travels.

[bitminerbob]

My dream is an electric 4x4 truck camper, fully charged from solar panels. Love what these blokes are doing!!

[matthewhuszarik]

I have dreamed of this type of setup for many years. Nice to see someone actually build it.

[GermanTopGameTV]

This would be a perfect market stand vehicle. You'd set it up at a market, expand the solar panels as a roof for your customers, sell Items out of it (fruit, vegetables, fresh fish or whatever you fancy for a market stand) and return to the depot on a full batery, never having to pay for any energy used in both transportation or refridgeration of the goods sold. Something like this probably has comercial potential.

[TheDailyConversation]

"In this circumstance you've got to let go of the whole entitlement of getting somewhere when you say you want to get somewhere." This encapsulates the mindset shift that needs to happen among the globetrotting class in the age of climate change. It has been possible to travel over oceans without fossil fuels--it's called sailing, but it takes weeks instead of hours. It is now possible to drive across continents with electric vehicles, but long stretches or heavier vehicles require stopping for charging along the way. With the imminent adoption of universal, planetary wifi (through satellites) it should no longer be a problem to take a little (or a lot) longer to get from A to B. If on the road, you stop and take a walk/hike or read/watch/work. If on the sea, you read/watch/work and enjoy the incredible experience of riding the waves. I'm looking forward to a future filled with sailing trips, electric ferry/boat rides, and even flights aboard electrically-propelled air ships (as described in the books of Kim Stanley Robinson). The jet-fueled flights of the rich/impatient - or of those needing to take a rare, once-or-twice-in a lifetime last minute trip (like the sudden illness or death of a loved one) - should be taxed at an exorbitant rate with the proceeds going straight back into developing the tech for us all to travel fossil-free farther and faster.

[RouteDelSol]

Thanks for this collaboration Kirsten! I hope everyone enjoyed your story of my journey as much as I did!

[qaer]

i always envisioned my e-van with same solar array configuration. Thank you for trailblazing it for us all. Respect.

[michaelbrinks]

I'd rig up/add a telescoping wind turbine that can be easily propped up & lowered. Iv'e noticed just about every rest area Iv'e been to along an interstate is always windy.

[JeremyThomas_Environmentarian]

I am blown away with emotion on this one. Thanks so much for sharing Kirsten.

[macrumpton]

Seems like having the extendable panels just hinged at the edges of the roof would be simpler and a lot of the time you would get power from one side and the roof while driving.

[brianjohnson]

I liked the comparison to sailing on the oceans. It does make you question our need to be somewhere as quickly as possible.

[kensmith]

Its a nice project.
You sort of need more solar panel and a magic way to make them disappear when you are on the move.
I saw someone else who was doing a solar EV camper who had some extra panels that he could place on the ground on the end of a cable.
The idea was that he could angle them more easily without having to move the vehicle to catch the first and last sun of the day.
It sounds like you have stuff rattling. That would bother me. I would try to have stuff held a little better.

[brianramsey]

I have had this idea for awhile of solar powered RV'n, Its nice to find someone who is actually doing it. I look forward to watching your videos and learning what will be involved to doing it.

[mihishow]

È un progetto fantastico. Avete tutta la mia stima😊viaggiare in Camper significa essere in cerca di libertà, e questo mezzo va oltre alla libertà che può dare un camper tradizionale. Complimenti dall'Italia 🇮🇹

[dantakeoff]

Nice vid. Just one correction. There is no navigable road from Alaska to Argentina. You got the Darien Gap...

[carlarcus]

No way ! I was part of the team that built Modecs in the UK. So chuffed to see this happening. Brilliant 🤩 💪👍👍👍

[cyclemoto]

I love the sailing analogy. Absolutely spot on. Cheers

[solarboondocker]

what /i appreciated the most was that you presented the limitations and downsides as well as the upsides.