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NEWS
Electric Kombi camper launches quietly
Battery-powered campervan recharges at the campsite while you sleepA tiny UK company has beaten two automotive giants in offering a road-ready electric-powered campervan to the public.
While Volkswagen has promised a battery-powered Kombi van within five years, and Mercedes-Benz is close to an electrified version of its Sprinter van, Yorkshire-based EV Classics is renting out a vintage Kombi camper that’s been converted to run entirely off electricity.
To convert the 1973 Kombi nicknamed ‘Indie’ from air-cooled petrol to battery power, EV Classics sourced mostly American parts including 46 lithium batteries, which are stored under the rear seat and are wired to an electric motor via a series of electronic control boxes.
To make the conversion easier, the original four-speed VW gearbox was retained, into which the electric motor is bolted.
The 28kWh battery pack is good for around 75km, but the company is hoping to produce more electric campervans in the future using better batteries that can offer a longer range of 100km or more.
As well as a quiet ride, Indie offers all the comforts of a typical compact campervan including a ‘flip ‘n sit’ front seat, a fold-out bed the equivalent of two double-size mattresses, a fridge, sink with running water and two burner gas cooker.
The electric Kombi is available for hire on AirBnb for £49 (around $85) a night, and if plugged into a powered caravan site the batteries will recharge overnight while you sleep.
EV Classics offers packages to convert a variety of vehicles to battery power, with three kits available starting from £21,000 ($37,000).
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Written byCaravancampingsales Staff
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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