RedSands Campers and EV conversion company Roev have announced a partnership to develop Australia’s first fully electric 4WD camper for the recreational hire market.
RedSands is a provider of 4WD Campers and 4WD vehicles to the inbound tourism market, and operates a fleet from its network of depots in the Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia.
RedSands says it will be working closely with Roev – which has announced plans to convert thousands of Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger utes to electric – to supply data and specifications for the new all-electric campers.
RedSands says the electrified 4WDs will not only reduce emissions, they will have the added benefit of enabling their customers to save money on fuel. And they will have the added benefit of being able to cook with electricity, removing the need for gas bottles.
“It will be the new age of remote camping. It brings about so many possibilities,” says Redsands managing director Adam Sands.
“This is an incredibly exciting development and milestone for our Group, as we embark on a strategy to de-carbonise our business and demonstrate off-road travel in an EV is not only possible, but a desirable mode of transport.
“As personal EV ownership around the world accelerates, so will the desire for people to travel and holiday in a sustainable way, in iconic self-drive destinations, such as Australia.
“Partnering with Roev, we see huge benefits with not just the recreational hire market, but to dispel myths around the requirement for Internal Combustion Engines to be the only way that more remote locations can be explored.”
Sands also noted that the G’Day Group has committed to install charging infrastructure and bespoke campsites at some of its iconic East Kimberley properties, such as Lake Argyle Resort and El Questro Station.
Sands says all businesses have a responsibility to reduce their emissions.
“We have been waiting years for a commercially available, robust EV 4WD product in Australia. We are lagging. Sometimes you just need to be the front runner and prove it can work.” said Sands.
Roev CEO Noah Wasmer says electrifying 4WD campers will prove the performance of light commercial EV’s and advance market acceptance of electric conversions as a reliable, safe, capable, and accessible way to transition to lower emissions transport.
“Not only that – we’re going to enhance the 4WD camper experience with vehicles that are joyful to drive and loaded with smart V2X solutions,” Wasmer said.
Brisbane based Roev converts diesel Toyota Landcruiser and Ford Ranger utes to electric. In January the company reported that it hopes to do over 1000 conversions this year as part of its fleets program.
Daniel Bleakley is a clean technology researcher and advocate with a background in engineering and business. He has a strong interest in electric vehicles, renewable energy, manufacturing and public policy.