Nissan updates electric camper van with innovative kit

author: FutureCar Staff    

With a new generation of all-electric vans, such as the Ford E-Transit, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, and Mercedes EQV, entering the e-camper van market, Nissan's electric small vans have taken a backseat. However, the e-NV200 was actually the world's first electric camper van, introduced 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 may not have the same small van charm as the e-NV200, it still makes for a great mini-camper when equipped with a rooftop tent and tailgate kitchen.

In 2010, Nissan made a name for itself 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, launched in 2009, wasn't very popular for camper conversions, the e-NV200 became the world's first all-electric camper van.

Shortly after Nissan started producing the electric compact van in Barcelona, UK converter Hillside Leisure unveiled a fully converted e-NV200 camper van at the NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show in October 2014. Hillside already had the NV200 Dalbury mini-camper van in its lineup, so it was a natural progression to create an e-NV200-based Dalbury E.

Nissan itself took a few years to join the e-NV200 electric camper van trend. In 2018, it partnered with Bram Technologies to create an electric mini-camper van for the Spanish market. Nissan also explored a broader European camper van concept with the Winter Camper Concept in 2021, as the automaker delved into pandemic-era off-grid work, travel, and play.

Now, Nissan has entered Chapter Two of the electric camper van story, which promises to introduce a larger group of e-camper van options. This new chapter is likely to include vans based on the Renault E-Kangoo, which shares its roots with the Nissan Townstar EV. The Townstar EV is currently showcased as a show car at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, providing a preview of the camping features that Townstar owners can add to create their own capable e-mini-camper.

Nissan has equipped the Townstar EV with 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, as well as a built-in overhead light. Additionally, Nissan has partnered with Irmscher to offer a camper-in-a-box kit, which includes a tailgate kitchen with a gas stove, sink, and small fridge box. The kitchen can be added to the Townstar EV, and Irmscher also offers the option of a fold-out bed with the box.

The base Townstar EV has an estimated range of up to 183 miles (295 km) with a 45-kWh battery pack. It can charge 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 the Nissan Townstar EV falls into the sub-5-meter "mini-camper van" category in terms of length.

The Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, where Nissan is showcasing the Townstar EV, began recently and will continue until Sunday, September 3. Alongside the Townstar EV, Nissan will also have its Primastar Seaside camper van on display.

Source: Nissan Germany

FutureCar Staff