Camper vans are a popular choice for travel around Australia’s ‘wide, brown land’. Buying a new one is an expensive exercise, so hiring (or buying older ex-rentals) have long been the preferred choices for overseas travellers, as well as for those Australians who don’t want to own one for doing just a couple of brief escapes a year.
Until now, petrol- or diesel-powered campers have been the only options available for hire (or purchase second-hand as they retire out of the hire fleets). This is finally changing, with the introduction of the first full-electric camper vans to Tasmanian campervan hire company, Tasvanlife.
Based on the high-roof, 82 kWh battery, long wheelbase Farizon SV van, the van before conversion has a 319 km WLTP range. Real-world testing of the completed camper with its inbuilt furniture, external retractable canopy and roof mounted solar panels (for charging the 12V system) has given a range closer to 245 km, even when used for mainly highway driving.
Given Tasmania’s extensive DC charging network has a minimum of around 80 to 100 km between chargers these days, it means that all parts of the state can be easily reached using DC chargers alone (albeit with some exclusions for unsuitable gravel roads that also apply to most petrol/diesel powered rental vans).
Being electric, it does come with more than the usual array of electrical appliance including a large fridge, moveable dual hob induction cook top, (for use inside or out), electric kettle, hot water heater with plumbed sink and external shower, canopy with exterior light and even a 2kW electric heater!
One comment from an early user was: “It has been great to just pull over and plug in the kettle for a cup of tea anywhere, any time with minimal fuss”.
In addition, much of the “fuel” cost is effectively included as an RFID card is provided in the van hire, enabling free charging up to 150km worth per day (averaged over the rental period) at all ChargeFox, Evie and Exploren sites. This allows access to the over 40 DC charge sites (75 bays/plugs) presently in operation around Tasmania.
In addition, users can also use public AC chargers at nearly 100 Tasmanian locations. The hire includes a 5m cable for use with ‘BYO’ lead AC chargers plus an 8A/1.8kW ‘granny charger’ to use with a standard 10 or 15A power point.
(Note: use of the ‘granny charger’ at 8A will only give a 20%-30% overnight top-up, but it does make it safe to plug in overnight at most 10A power points and almost certainly all 15A sockets – e.g. powered caravan sites). Even if the ‘granny charger’ is needed, it would easily add enough to get to a DC charger the next day.
For peace-of-mind, Tasvanlife also includes free roadside support, covering changing flat tyres (the van does BTW come with a full standard wheel as a spare) as well as recharging/towing in the unlikely event of running out of charge.
Initially launching with two vans, Tasvanlife have three more ready for conversion to be completed by October. After that, depending on consumer response, the fleet will be expanded further in 2027.
Further information: https://www.tasvanlife.com/electric-campervans
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.