I've Seen One!

[WelshGas]

If you mean they will be banned from the road, I highly doubt that, but where you can take one might be more limited than it is today. Rememeber the EU is lagging WAY behind the UK in its transition to non ICE based transport options.

No, not banned from the road. It will be a bigger, heavier vehicle.
If there is a Multivan sized vehicle it might be fully electric, for 2 .

Think about how Campervans are used.
They drive a few hundred miles on main roads and then off the main route to a campsite in a rural location or by a coast or river or the mountains. So such a vehicle would have a high capacity battery, that’s heavy, and would be dependent on high capacity chargers. You won’t find such chargers in rural locations or the mountains etc:, not for many years. So to visit such locations you would have to get a good charge on board to get to your rural or mountain campsite and back to a high capacity chargers. Charging such a high capacity battery with a Domestic electric supply T2 charger would take a good few hours and becomes very impractical, if you can do it in the mountains .
A full EV Campervan would need a lot of compromises. Using one , as many do at present, would be very, very difficult. Unless there are High Capacity Chargers everywhere, and that will be a longtime coming.

 

[Paul Norris]

Quoted range for the Petrol 2.0TSi Multivan California (there is no such thing as a T7 California) is ~30.5 mpg. For the 2.0 TDi Diesel its ~ 41. So based purely on fuelling costs the petrol will be 34% more to run (edit: bit less than this as petrol costs bit less than diesel) . Interesting one will be when the 1.4Tsi Hybrid version becomes available. TopGear got 38-40mpg out of that in SWB people carrier version on long motorway runs (ie not using any pre stored battery capacity).

In the Ford / New Transporter (VW aren't even referring to this as a T7) that converters are or will be using a base there are 3 engine options:
2.0 Diesel - ( Ford Ecoboost, the infamous wet belt engine the may or may not have been fixed)
2.5 petrol hybrid (Ford Duratec with the petrol running on otto cycle for efficiency)
Electric (The VW electric drivetrain, quoted range in the van < 200miles).

Thank you for the information and ideas. Apologies for the name. I’m thinking of the new California Ocean that is based on the multi van
and the two options that they give. I believe the petrol is a new engine rather than the diesel having a track record and was wondering if it would be as reliable or what’s peoples opinion were regarding the two types

 

[Corradobrit]

Thank you for the information and ideas. Apologies for the name. I’m thinking of the new California Ocean that is based on the multi van
and the two options that they give. I believe the petrol is a new engine rather than the diesel having a track record and was wondering if it would be as reliable or what’s peoples opinion were regarding the two types

Sorta depends how you plan to use it. Diesel is better for long haul trips, while petrol is better for local stop start driving. Diesel tend to have better torque numbers so preferable for towing. And from a running cost perspective at least on the Continent, diesel costs 5-10% less and gives better mpg.

 

[66tim99]

No, not banned from the road. It will be a bigger, heavier vehicle.
If there is a Multivan sized vehicle it might be fully electric, for 2 .

Think about how Campervans are used.
They drive a few hundred miles on main roads and then off the main route to a campsite in a rural location or by a coast or river or the mountains. So such a vehicle would have a high capacity battery, that’s heavy, and would be dependent on high capacity chargers. You won’t find such chargers in rural locations or the mountains etc:, not for many years. So to visit such locations you would have to get a good charge on board to get to your rural or mountain campsite and back to a high capacity chargers. Charging such a high capacity battery with a Domestic electric supply T2 charger would take a good few hours and becomes very impractical, if you can do it in the mountains .
A full EV Campervan would need a lot of compromises. Using one , as many do at present, would be very, very difficult. Unless there are High Capacity Chargers everywhere, and that will be a longtime coming.

If I could get one with a 300mile range (200 on a cold day fully loaded) it could potentially work for me. Fast charging on the motorway every 2-3hrs.
Theoretically, could you charge overnight via a standard campsite hookup?
Could vehicle charging be a new income stream for campsites?
Even offer a percentage of pitches with a proper vehicle charging point?

 

[WelshGas]

If I could get one with a 300mile range (200 on a cold day fully loaded) it could potentially work for me. Fast charging on the motorway every 2-3hrs.
Theoretically, could you charge overnight via a standard campsite hookup?
Could vehicle charging be a new income stream for campsites?
Even offer a percentage of pitches with a proper vehicle charging point?

On the Motorway fine, but most campsites aren’t close to motorways so you have to get from last fast chargers to campsite and back again.

Charging from a 13 amp domestic supply is about 4hrs/ 10kWh battery.

Batteries range in size from 10 - 110 kWh. So 4 to 40 hrs on a 13amp T2 charger.

 

[Mehdime]

On the Motorway fine, but most campsites aren’t close to motorways so you have to get from last fast chargers to campsite and back again.

Charging from a 13 amp domestic supply is about 4hrs/ 10kWh battery.

Batteries range in size from 10 - 110 kWh. So 4 to 40 hrs on a 13amp T2 charger.

So even just an overnight stay with a domestic supply would give you 30kWh, which would be fine for most purposes I guess.

Clearly won’t work for going off deep in the wilderness but fine for most typical uses of a camper.

Just have to hope that the plug at the campsite doesn’t happen to be out of service that day…

 

[Azteccamper]

EV camping. Holidays are supposed to be fun and relaxing! Anxiety levels over charging everyday ain’t much fun. Like everything, only the wealthy will be able to do anything - the rest of us will be stuck at home

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

I cannot see campsites investing in proper EV charge points. How many EV campervans are there out there? I do not think I have seen an EV towing a caravan yet at any campsite.

If people start trying to charge their EV's using normal electrical hookups the campsites will soon kick back against that.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

I cannot see campsites investing in proper EV charge points. How many EV campervans are there out there? I do not think I have seen an EV towing a caravan yet at any campsite.

If people start trying to charge their EV's using normal electrical hookups the campsites will soon kick back against that.

Especially when most ehu's limit current to 6 amps

 

[pluc99]

No, not banned from the road. It will be a bigger, heavier vehicle.
If there is a Multivan sized vehicle it might be fully electric, for 2 .

Think about how Campervans are used.
They drive a few hundred miles on main roads and then off the main route to a campsite in a rural location or by a coast or river or the mountains. So such a vehicle would have a high capacity battery, that’s heavy, and would be dependent on high capacity chargers. You won’t find such chargers in rural locations or the mountains etc:, not for many years. So to visit such locations you would have to get a good charge on board to get to your rural or mountain campsite and back to a high capacity chargers. Charging such a high capacity battery with a Domestic electric supply T2 charger would take a good few hours and becomes very impractical, if you can do it in the mountains .
A full EV Campervan would need a lot of compromises. Using one , as many do at present, would be very, very difficult. Unless there are High Capacity Chargers everywhere, and that will be a longtime coming.

A lot of compromises would probably start with gas for heater/cooker/cooler and possibly to power an emergency generator .

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Bet the typical daily fee of 5 quid extra for EHU would go significantly north if/when people start to use them to charge their EV's!!!!!

 

[66tim99]

Bet the typical daily fee of 5 quid extra for EHU would go significantly north if/when people start to use them to charge their EV's!!!!!

Fair point - They could just have a different price for EV vans, so the majority aren't affected?
I'd happily pay a premium to leave with a full battery, and not having to visit a public charge point.
Even without upgrading the hook ups, a 300-mile range camper could work for many if campsites allowed you to charge them on your pitch and you could get 100 miles range overnight (or 300 miles after 2 nights).
Perhaps the most practical solution though would be a fast charger at check in (or even better one at each service point). They could probably charge you 5X what it costs them for the electricity (I see street charging can be 10X home charging) in order to attract the EV campers, and when they've paid off their investment, make a few quid.
New plug-in hybrid T7 California owners (surely there'll be one) could also benefit I suppose.

 

[SaywellHQ]

First one I’ve seen listed on AT

New California

The side photo showing the overhang at the back… such a fugly looking thing!

 

[KaiserT6]

First one I’ve seen listed on AT

New California

The side photo showing the overhang at the back… such a fugly looking thing!

I wouldn't be happy spending £80k+ on a new vehicle, only to find out it's fitted with Khumo tyres from the factory. I know Volkswagen have fallen on hard times....but come on!

 

[Corradobrit]

First one I’ve seen listed on AT

New California

The side photo showing the overhang at the back… such a fugly looking thing!

As designed by Mr Magoo. Viva La Sharavan

 

[Barry Chuckle]

First one I’ve seen listed on AT

New California

The side photo showing the overhang at the back… such a fugly looking thing!

How the world has changed, normally the very first models sell for a premium over list, yet the very first one on Autotrader is already discounted. Doesn't bode well for the model

 

[Barry Chuckle]

...even the very first ID Buzz's sold at several thousand over list at first on AT

 

[JohnCalifornia]

I cannot see campsites investing in proper EV charge points. How many EV campervans are there out there? I do not think I have seen an EV towing a caravan yet at any campsite.

If people start trying to charge their EV's using normal electrical hookups the campsites will soon kick back against that.

A few campsites I’ve been to , say in the paperwork you get when you first arrive that you can’t charge EVs on site and some even tell you where you can go to charge them up like the local supermarket for example

 

[WelshGas]

A few campsites I’ve been to , say in the paperwork you get when you first arrive that you can’t charge EVs on site and some even tell you where you can go to charge them up like the local supermarket for example

And when EVs are more common in 5+ yrs?

 

[JohnCalifornia]

I cannot see campsites investing in proper EV charge points. How many EV campervans are there out there? I do not think I have seen an EV towing a caravan yet at any campsite.

If people start trying to charge their EV's using normal electrical hookups the campsites will soon kick back against that.

My friend has a Tesla model Y and has towed his caravan once. It’s one of the EVs that you can actually tow a caravan with (obviously only the correct weight etc). It depletes the battery by a minimum of 50% when towing, so in reality less than 150 miles each full charge if you are lucky. I forget where he went but it got him to the campsite then hooked up the caravan then had to charge up somewhere. On the way home they didn’t quite make it on one charge and had to pull into a services 10 miles from home for a top up. What people don’t mention when charging the EVs for a quick top up, say half hour or so, if you have kids you go into the services , buy a coffee and snacks then before you know it you’ve spent £20 or £30 and that’s before paying top price for your electric top up. I say he has only done it once as he won’t risk doing it again due to range anxiety. He is actively trying to sell his caravan and is going to start going to campsites where they do have EV chargers (same big ones have them in reception car parks apparently) and stay in static’s or lodges.

 

[JohnCalifornia]

And when EVs are more common in 5+ yrs?

I think campsites will have designated EV charging areas. Some large campsite have them now, always near reception areas where the mains electricity probably enters the sites. I can’t see campsites upgrading existing hook up supplies to say 32amp ones so EVs can be charged up I can see this happening on a new campsite though

 

[andyinluton]

I think campsites will have designated EV charging areas. Some large campsite have them now, always near reception areas where the mains electricity probably enters the sites. I can’t see campsites upgrading existing hook up supplies to say 32amp ones so EVs can be charged up I can see this happening on a new campsite though

To have 32amp charging available at every plot an a 50 unit site would cost a fortune to install. Getting a big enough supply just to the site entrance especially on an out of town site could be a huge problem. If it was easy we would already hundreds of fast chargers at every service station.

 

[andyinluton]

First one I’ve seen listed on AT

New California

The side photo showing the overhang at the back… such a fugly looking thing!

I note the description states the front seats are not height adjustable - I thought that was supposed to be included.

 

[JohnCalifornia]

To have 32amp charging available at every plot an a 50 unit site would cost a fortune to install. Getting a big enough supply just to the site entrance especially on an out of town site could be a huge problem. If it was easy we would already hundreds of fast chargers at every service station.

Very true .

 

[vmaxkiddy]

To have 32amp charging available at every plot an a 50 unit site would cost a fortune to install. Getting a big enough supply just to the site entrance especially on an out of town site could be a huge problem. If it was easy we would already hundreds of fast chargers at every service station.

On e way around the supply problem is the use of a hydrogen powered generator. Cairn Lodge service station has one in service.

Cairn Lodge Services 'leads the charge' | Electric Charging | M74

We’re proud to announce that at our Cairn Lodge Services, on the M74 in Lanarkshire, we have launched a cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) charging facility powered by hydrogen. This marks the first-of-its-kind deployment of a hydrogen-powered generator connected to EV chargers at a UK service...

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