In “My Two Cents” blog post, I salivated over the American designed, Recon Envy NV200 popup camper van which has now risen to $60K dollars in U.S. currency. It’s being converted in Southern California and at a new, second facility in Michigan. Thinking further down the road, what is the most fuel efficient, micro camper van available for purchase today?
Meet the e-NV200 Sussex Campervan currently available for sale in Europe, but not in the United States! I could fly to the U.K. and buy one for almost $60K pounds which amounts to approximately $82K in U.S. dollars. Of course, this does not include VAT or freight charges to bring it back to America. Buying one in Germany would ensure the steering wheel is on the left side like here in the States. However, it’s simply a pipe dream. I would need to win a super mega lottery to afford another van. I’m still paying off a 2020 Ram Promaster City bank loan I incurred 8 months ago. But it’s fun to dream bigger & better! And discover new features and technological advances.
Source: https://www.sussexcampervans.com/our-vans/e-nv200-campercar
Look how efficiently the interior & electric components are arranged inside the e-NV200 micro camper van! It has enough lithium battery power to operate a blow dryer, electric cooktop, refrigerator, & coffee maker. And both front seats swivel 360 degrees! You seldom find rotating front seats on micro vans sold in America.
What is the equivalent gas mileage per gallon for the all electric Nissan e-NV200? According to the nextgreencar.com website, it gets 153 equivalent mpg! However, the additional weight of a camper van conversion and any high speed acceleration will negatively impact this rating. In their video, Sussex claims their e-NV200 camper van gets at least 130 miles on a full charge and can achieve more distance when driving at low speeds, around town.
It’s true that Europe is further along in having available, electric charging stations than most of the United States except for maybe California, Oregon, and Washington. Several Costco stores now have charging stations. Why isn’t the United States going to import the e-NV200 here in 2021 or next year? Perhaps it’s because American big oil is somehow blocking or lobbying it from happening? And Europe, especially the U.K. is 10 years ahead of America in micro van conversions because of economic necessity! For example, a liter of gasoline currently costs $1.85 USD equivalent in Great Britain which equates to $6.99 or almost $7 per gallon! When I was in Venice Italy three years ago, a liter of gasoline was not much cheaper. We’ve been spoiled for a long time here in America with lower gasoline prices…which are quickly rising everywhere!
Because of web sharing sites, information has increased exponentially in the past decade. American Nomads who camp or reside in hot climates have discovered that hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Sienna & Prius can run air conditioning all night, for a dollar or two. About every hour or so, the gasoline engine will turn on by itself to recharge the vehicle’s battery pack. Hybrids & electric vehicles are literally “generators on wheels”.
Bob Wells, (creator of CheapRVLiving), gives a tour of Sue Ann’s hybrid Toyota Prius camping vehicle with rear tent. The Prius gets approximately 45 to 50 miles per gallon. It uses lithium batteries kept charged by the alternator and a regenerative braking system. Prius & Sienna hybrids do not require plug-in, electric charging times like the e-NV200 camper & Pacifica hybrid vans.
Micro Van Life 