Nissan updates electric camper van with new kit

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【Summary】Nissan has revamped its electric camper van, the e-NV200, with a pop-and-play kit. The new van, called the Townstar EV, comes with a high-popping rooftop tent and a tailgate kitchen. Nissan is showcasing the Townstar EV at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon. The van has a 45-kWh battery pack with an estimated range of up to 183 miles and can charge from 15 to 80% in 37 minutes. The addition of the pop-up roof tent and the kitchen makes it a capable mini-camper.

FutureCar Staff Sep 06, 2023 7:03 AM PT

Nissan updates electric camper van with new kit

With a new generation of all-electric vans, like the Ford E-Transit, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, and Mercedes EQV, entering the e-camper van market, Nissan's electric small vans have become overshadowed. However, the e-NV200 was the world's first electric camper van 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. Although the Townstar EV Kombi doesn't have the same charm as the e-NV200, it can still be transformed into a compact mini-camper with a rooftop tent and a tailgate kitchen.

In 2010, Nissan made a 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. While the ICE NV200, released in 2009, wasn't widely used for camper conversions, it served as a platform for mini-campers, paving the way for the e-NV200 to become the world's first all-electric camper van.

Shortly after Nissan started producing the electric compact van in Barcelona, UK converter Hillside Leisure presented the first e-NV200 camper van at the NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show in October 2014. Hillside had already included the NV200 Dalbury mini-camper van in its lineup, so transitioning to an e-NV200-based Dalbury E was a natural step.

It took a few more years for Nissan to design its own e-NV200 electric camper van. In 2018, Nissan partnered with Bram Technologies to create an electric mini-camper van for the Spanish market. Nissan also explored the European camper van market with the Winter Camper Concept in 2021, showcasing its off-grid capabilities during the pandemic.

Nissan is now entering Chapter Two of the electric camper van story, which will introduce a larger range of e-camper vans, potentially including models based on the Renault E-Kangoo. The Townstar EV, which shares its roots with the E-Kangoo, has been specially outfitted as a show car for the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, offering a glimpse of the camping package that Townstar drivers can customize to create their own capable e-mini-camper.

To enhance the camping experience, Nissan has added a Maggiolina Airlander Plus Black rooftop tent, providing a spacious double bed with mesh windows and doors for ventilation. An overhead light is included for nighttime illumination. In addition to the rooftop tent, Nissan has partnered with Irmscher to offer a camper-in-a-box kit, which includes a tailgate kitchen with a dual-burner gas stove, sink with water canister, and a small fridge box. The kitchen can be installed separately from the rooftop tent.

The base Townstar EV has 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 37 minutes. It is powered by a single 121-hp electric motor, and an available heat pump provides efficient interior heating. The size of the show car is not specified, but the Nissan Townstar EV falls into the sub-5-meter "mini-camper van" category.

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