Electric camper van gets upgraded with innovative pop-and-play kit

author: FutureCar Staff    

With the rise of new all-electric vans in the e-camper van market, such as the Ford E-Transit, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, and Mercedes EQV, Nissan's electric small vans have become overshadowed. However, the e-NV200 was actually the world's first electric camper van, making its debut at a time when electric vehicles were still in their early stages and most RVers were satisfied with gas and diesel. Nissan retired the e-NV in 2021 to make way for its successor, the Townstar EV. While the Townstar EV Kombi may not have the same small van charm as the e-NV200, it still makes for a compelling mini-camper when equipped with a high-popping rooftop tent and a tailgate kitchen.

In 2010, Nissan entered the modern EV market by launching the Leaf, which was 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, launched in 2009, was not widely used for camper conversions, it did serve 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, UK converter Hillside Leisure unveiled a fully converted e-NV200 camper van with a complete camper interior and pop-up roof at the UK's NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show in 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 based on the e-NV200 for the Spanish market. Nissan later explored a broader European camper van concept with the Winter Camper Concept in 2021, as the automaker 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 models, possibly including some based on the Renault E-Kangoo, which shares its roots with the Nissan Townstar EV. The Townstar EV has been specially equipped as a show car for the ongoing Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, offering a glimpse of the camping package that Townstar drivers can customize to create their own capable e-mini-camper.

To provide sleeping accommodations, Nissan has installed a Maggiolina Airlander Plus Black rooftop tent, eliminating the need for a pop-up roof. The tent features a spacious double bed with breezy mesh windows and doors that can be zippered closed for weatherproofing. An overhead light is included for convenience.

In addition to the rooftop tent, Nissan has partnered with Irmscher to create a more versatile multi-day camper. The Irmscher camper-in-a-box kit adds a tailgate kitchen, complete with a dual-burner gas stove, a sink with a water canister, and a small fridge box. While Nissan has chosen to include only the kitchen, Irmscher offers the box with a fold-out bed option as well.

Nissan has not provided adjusted fuel economy figures for the mini-camper, but the base Townstar EV offers an estimated range of up to 183 miles (295 km) with a 45-kWh battery pack that can be charged from 15 to 80% in just 37 minutes. The van 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 the L1 model and 491 cm (193 in) for the L2 model, the Nissan Townstar EV falls within the sub-5-m (197-in) "mini-camper van" category.

The Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, where Nissan is showcasing the Townstar EV, is currently taking place and will continue until Sunday, September 3. Nissan will also have its Primastar Seaside camper van on display at the event.

Source: Nissan Germany

FutureCar Staff