Electric camper van gets a new makeover with pop-and-play kit

author: FutureCar Staff    

With a new generation of all-electric vans, like the Ford E-Transit, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, and Mercedes EQV, emerging in the e-camper van market, Nissan's electric small vans have taken a backseat. However, the e-NV200 was the world's first electric camper van, making its debut at a time when EVs were still in their early stages and most RVers were satisfied with gas and diesel. In 2021, Nissan retired the e-NV to make way for its successor, the Townstar EV. While the Townstar EV Kombi doesn't have the same charm as the e-NV200, it still serves as a compelling mini-camper when equipped with a rooftop tent and tailgate kitchen.

In 2010, Nissan made its mark in the modern EV market by launching the Leaf, the first mass-produced all-electric car of the 21st century. Four years later, in 2014, Nissan introduced the e-NV200 as its first all-electric light commercial vehicle. Although the ICE NV200, released in 2009, wasn't widely popular for camper conversions, it did find some use as a mini-camper platform, paving the way for the e-NV200 to become the world's first all-electric camper van.

Shortly after Nissan began production of the e-NV200 in Barcelona, the first e-NV200 camper van was unveiled. UK converter Hillside Leisure showcased a fully refurbished e-NV200 with a complete camper interior and a pop-up roof at the UK's NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show in October 2014. Hillside already had the NV200 Dalbury mini-camper van in its lineup, so transitioning to an e-NV200-based Dalbury E was a natural progression.

It took a few years for Nissan itself to venture into e-NV200 electric camper van design. In 2018, Nissan partnered with Bram Technologies to create an electric mini-camper van for Spain, where the e-NV200 was manufactured. Nissan later explored the European camper van market with the impressive Winter Camper Concept in 2021, as the company delved into off-grid work, travel, and play during the pandemic.

Nissan has now entered Chapter Two of the electric camper van story, which promises to introduce a larger group of e-camper van protagonists. This includes potential models based on the Renault E-Kangoo, which shares its roots with the Nissan Townstar EV. The Townstar EV has been outfitted as a show car for the ongoing Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, providing a preview of the camping package that Townstar drivers can add to create a capable e-mini-camper.

Nissan has simplified the camper van experience by attaching a Maggiolina Airlander Plus Black rooftop tent, eliminating the need for a pop-up roof. The tent features a spacious double bed with mesh windows and doors for ventilation, as well as a zippered weatherproofing system. An overhead light is included for convenience.

In addition to the rooftop tent, Nissan has enhanced the Townstar EV with Irmscher's camper-in-a-box kit, transforming it into a multi-day camper. The kit includes a tailgate kitchen equipped with a dual-burner gas stove, a sink with a water canister, and a small fridge box. While Nissan has opted for just the kitchen, Irmscher offers the box with a fold-out bed.

The fuel economy figures for the mini-camper are not provided by Nissan. However, the base Townstar EV offers an estimated range of up to 183 miles (295 km) with its 45-kWh battery pack. The battery can be charged from 15 to 80% in just 37 minutes. The Townstar EV is powered by a single 121-hp electric motor, and an available heat pump provides efficient interior heating. The exact size of the show car is not specified, but with lengths of 449 cm (17 in) for L1 and 491 cm (193 in) for L2, the Nissan Townstar EV falls into the sub-5-m (197-in) "mini-camper van" category.

The Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, which started over the weekend, will showcase the Townstar EV along with Nissan's Primastar Seaside camper van.

Source: Nissan Germany

FutureCar Staff