Nissan updates pioneering electric camper van with easy-to-use 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 somewhat faded into the background. However, it's worth noting that the e-NV200 was actually the world's first electric camper van, released at a time when electric vehicles were still in their early stages and most RVers were satisfied with gas and diesel. In 2021, Nissan retired the e-NV200 to make way for its successor, the Townstar EV. Although the Townstar EV Kombi may not have the same charm as the e-NV200, it still offers a compelling option for a mini-camper when equipped with a rooftop tent and a tailgate kitchen.

In 2010, Nissan made a significant impact on 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 particularly popular for camper conversions, it did serve 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 began producing the e-NV200 in Barcelona, UK converter Hillside Leisure unveiled a fully converted e-NV200 camper van with a complete interior and a pop-up roof at the 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 more years for Nissan itself to enter the electric camper van market. In 2018, Nissan partnered with Bram Technologies to create an electric mini-camper van based on the e-NV200 for the Spanish market. Nissan further explored the European camper van market with the Winter Camper Concept in 2021, showcasing its off-grid capabilities during the pandemic.

Nissan is now embarking on Chapter Two of the electric camper van story, which will introduce a larger group of e-camper van options. This new chapter will likely include models based on the Renault E-Kangoo, which shares its roots with the Nissan Townstar EV. The Townstar EV is currently being showcased as a show car at the ongoing Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, offering a preview of the camping package that Townstar drivers can add to create their own capable e-mini-camper.

To enhance its camping capabilities, Nissan has equipped the Townstar EV with a Maggiolina Airlander Plus Black rooftop tent. The tent features a 130 x 210-cm double bed with breezy mesh windows and doors. Additionally, Nissan has partnered with Irmscher to provide a camper-in-a-box kit, which includes a tailgate kitchen with a dual-burner gas stove, sink with a water canister, and a small fridge box. The kitchen can be installed separately from the box, which also offers a fold-out bed.

The base Townstar EV has an estimated range of up to 183 miles (295 km) with its 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 ensures efficient interior heating. Although the exact size of the show car is not specified, the Nissan Townstar EV falls within the sub-5-meter mini-camper van category.

The Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, where the Townstar EV is being showcased, started last weekend and will continue until Sunday, September 3. In addition to the Townstar EV, Nissan is also displaying its Primastar Seaside camper van at the event.

Source: Nissan Germany

FutureCar Staff