Nova Terra Sportz ECX48V 2023 Review

Like the automotive and transport industries, the RV sector is slowly and surely embracing renewable energy and electrification.

Caravans with big lithium battery systems fed largely by the sun and capable of running numerous power-hungry on-board appliances including air conditioners, ovens, cooktops and washing machines, when camping in the middle of nowhere and ‘unplugged’, are all the rage right now.

A growing list of caravan manufacturers now offer a ‘gas free’ or full electric caravan, including Royal Flair, Retreat, Highline, Zone, Bruder, Mountain Trail and Spinifex, not to mention Chinese/Australian caravan start-up Harvok.

A number of companies are helping drive this off-the-grid RV revolution including Queensland-based Safiery, Dometic’s Enerdrive and more recently US-based EcoFlow, but it’s the Melbourne-developed 51V turnkey system from OzXCorp first seen on the ERV Hyper van in 2019 that has pioneered the EC (electric caravan) movement.

One of the latest to offer the OzXCorp lithium battery system is Nova Caravans, which unveiled its first ‘full electric’ caravan – a 19ft 6in Terra Sportz EXC 48V off-roader – at the 2023 Victorian Caravan Supershow.

Now in its 18th year of manufacturing, Campbellfield, Victoria-based Nova is offering either the 7.1kWh or 14.3kWh OzXCorp system as an option across many of its caravan models, including its off-road-oriented Terra Sportz.

However, the range-topping ECX48V off-grid option package is not the only new feature or upgrade introduced across the Terra Sportz range for 2023.

All Terra Sportz vans now ride on the AL-KO/G&S Truss chassis, a heavy-duty hot-dipped galvanised chassis with weight-saving cut-outs previously only available on Lotus caravans.

The Truss chassis also allows for a ‘flat floor’ design for better utilisation of interior space, while the Terra Sportz also gets Nova’s top-spec body construction including 25mm fibreglass sandwich panel walls, a 15mm honeycomb composite floor and a timber-framed roof with one-piece fibreglass skin.

Other Terra Sportz exterior updates include a new ‘flat front’ design that allows a larger tunnel boot in lieu of the previous front boot, together with a new stone guard with Nova mudflaps, double entry steps, new 17in satin black alloy wheels and folded checkerplate sides and, on ECX48V versions, new ‘blue lightning’ decals.

Comfortable off-grid camping

Priced at $163,490 (ex-Melbourne, drive away), the Nova Terra Sportz ECX48V tandem-axle review van costs around $26,000 more than a standard 19ft 6in Terra Sportz fitted with twin 150Ah lithium batteries and two 210W solar panels.

With its four 400W roof-top solar panels, 14.3kWh, 51V lithium-ion battery (equivalent of a 2380Ah AGM battery or a 1330Ah lithium-ion battery at 12V) and 5000W smart inverter, the OzXCorp system is designed to run the ECX48V review van’s multiple on-board 240V appliances for extended periods, including its portable BBQ, rooftop air-conditioner, electric oven, induction cooktop, microwave, 274L compressor fridge/freezer, TV, radio and top-load washing machine; not to mention other plug-in accessories like a coffee machine, laptop and hair dryer.

If the sun isn’t shining, the front toolbox includes two slide-outs: one for the Ziggy electric BBQ, the other for a 2.2kW petrol generator. This is the minimum output required to charge the 14.3kWh battery pack, which Nova claims will take around four hours for a full top-up.

If you’re feeling generous and have spare capacity, there are 10A and 15A outlets on the awning side to feed power to a neighbouring caravan, or other power-hungry appliances.

The black water tank-size OzXCorp battery pack is neatly housed beneath the chassis rails towards the front, not far from the spare wheel, with checkerplate-protected twin 95L freshwater tanks and 100L grey tank located towards the rear, with some sturdy skid bars and rear recovery points for reassurance when the going gets rough.

The Terra Sportz ECX48V gets Nova’s top-spec off-road package including a Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, electric/hydraulic disc brakes and the Control Rider Stage 4 Automatic airbag suspension, which not only smoothes the ride and provides plenty of ride height adjustability in rougher terrain, but makes levelling the van at camp a lot easier, with switches for the airbags conveniently located in an onside locker.

Incidentally, the two low-mounted ‘battery boxes’ – one on each side of the van – house the actuator for the disc brakes and the airbags’ compressor.

Storage-wise externally, there’s the aforementioned front toolbox with gennie and BBQ slide-outs and a central enclosed storage box, along with a large gal-lined tunnel boot and another vertical locker to the right of the entry door.

Also fitted along the onside wall is a roll-out awning, light and outdoor speakers, a picnic table for resting and plugging in a toaster, kettle or the supplied 28in Smart TV (there’s another TV arm and connections facing the bed inside).

The Terra Sportz ECX48V also comes with a protected drawbar tap and mains water inlet, hot/cold external shower, a reversing camera and front and rear LED worklights.

Step inside the 19ft 6in Terra Sportz ECX48V review van, and you’ll probably be pretty pleased with the overall layout and fit-out if you’re a couple planning to spend a relaxing few weeks or months on the road.

One of eight Terra Sportz floorplans available, this particular 196-1R couples layout boasts a walk-around north-south queen bed with comfy innerspring mattress up front, a spacious central café lounge/dinette and kitchen, and a full-width rear ensuite with separate shower, toilet and washing machine.

Our review van comes smartly finished with timber-look benchtops and flooring, and contrasting matte black cabinets, sink and tap, while the glossy white and black, lightweight curved overhead cabinetry doors sourced from Germany and blue ambient strip lighting add a real touch of class to proceedings.

Also adding to the premium feel are stylish bedside storage cut-outs with black double powerpoints and wireless phone chargers, and the plush leatherette seat upholstery that extends to the dual flip-out foot rests.

Typical of an Australian-built van of this size, there’s plenty of internal storage options, including half robes, overhead lockers and cabinets around the bed, some large pot drawers and a slide-out pantry in the kitchen, and a few other cupboards scattered throughout including in the bathroom.

There’s also some storage room under the bed, with another large ‘black box’ containing the OzXCorp inverter/charger taking up about a third of available space.

The all-electric cooking set-up in the Terra Sportz ECX48V includes a built-in twin hob induction cooktop and full-size European electric oven, to go with a microwave and 274L compressor fridge/freezer. The minimalist set-up also leaves plenty of free space on the kitchen benchtop for food prep, etc.

Other interior highlights include a four to five-seater lounge/dinette, and the spacious ensuite with its solid sliding door and plenty of room to access the cassette toilet positioned directly on the left under an opening window.

The top-load washing machine is hidden away inside one of the cabinets below a large mirror, vanity with bowl sink and more overhead lockers. The extra-large corner shower also gets trendy black tapware and a 12V roof hatch to flush out the steam.

With no gas appliances nor the required external venting, the ECX48V Terra Sportz is not fitted with the dust reduction system that’s standard on other Terra Sportz vans. Its cluttered rooftop also means it misses out on a central skylight and roof hatch, so with just four main windows you’ll get less natural light filtering in during the day than other Nova vans.

However, there are two 12V ceiling fans in the bedroom area to provide additional breezes on warmer nights, and a Cowfish VanConnect 5G internet router and aerial to help stay in touch when on the road.

There’s also a bank of switches near the entry door, and other electrical components including a water tank monitor and colour touchscreen for the OzXCorp system neatly housed in a locker above the kitchen, to hopefully make operation of the off-grid power system as simple as possible.

Summing up

As enticing as the all-electric ECX48V package is, its premium pricing makes it most appealing to cashed-up ‘first adopters’ and those who can justify the extra cost with money saved by enjoying all the off-the-grid camping comforts for long periods out on the road.

As Nova’s National Sales Manager John Sills told us: “It’s for full-time people on the road, to justify the price.”

You can save a few thousand dollars by opting for the cheaper 7kWh OzXCorp system, perhaps paired with some gas and diesel-powered appliances, or the more affordable 400Ah lithium battery system also offered as an off-grid option by Nova.

It’s also worth pointing out the somewhat limiting 492kg payload limit of our review van, which could be a deal-breaker if you’re planning to load up the van with food, water and other gear for a big Outback trip...

How much is the Nova Terra Sportz 196-1R ECX48V off-grid caravan?

Price: $163,490 (ex-Melbourne, drive away)
Travel length: 8340mm
External body length: 6460mm
External body width: 2480mm
Travel height: 2950mm
Interior height: 1980mm
Tare: 3008kg
ATM: 3500kg
Payload: 492kg
Ball weight (Tare): 252kg
Body: Fibreglass composite walls, honeycomb floor, one-piece fibreglass roof
Chassis: AL-KO Truss 6in galvanised, 2in raiser with Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling
Suspension: Control Rider Stage 4 Automatic airbags
Brakes: 12-inch electric/hydraulic disc brakes with AL-KO ESC
Wheels: 17in alloy, 265/70R17 Goodride Mud Legend tyres
Water: 2 x 95L plus 100L grey tank
Battery: 1 x 51V 14.3kWh lithium battery plus a 5000W inverter/charger
Solar: 4 x 400W, roof-mounted
Hot water: Electric
Cooking: Thetford Induction twin hob, Franke 240V 60cm Pyrolytic oven, NCE microwave, Ziggy electric BBQ
Fridge: Thetford 274L compressor
TV: 28in Smart TV/DVD, Cowfish VanConnect antenna
Air conditioner: Gree 3.5kW reverse-cycle, roof-mounted
Bathroom: Separate shower and Thetford cassette toilet
Washing machine: 3.2kg NCE top load
Lighting: LED throughout
Supplied by: RV Sales Qld, Parkinson, Qld
More info: Nova Caravans, Campbellfield, Vic