The electrically powered camper van is designed to achieve a range of over 400 kilometers
Image: CityFreighter
Vöhringer, Motive Development, and CityFreighter present a concept vehicle based on the fully electric skateboard platform Evolve. This platform was designed for battery-powered mobile units and serves as the foundation for a new vehicle architecture.
The Evolve platform reportedly allows for more usable living space. The interior is larger, the floor is completely flat, and the entry height is lower. At the same time, the standing height inside increases.
The prototype features a 128-kWh battery pack as well as a lightweight interior layout with a kitchen, bathroom, heat pump, and onboard equipment. The electric vehicle weighs less than 3.5 tons. Vöhringer claims that thanks to its Airply technology, the interior weight can be reduced by up to 45 percent.
Within the future 4.25-ton limit for driver’s license class B (standard permit for passenger cars), this should leave around 750 kilograms of additional payload available. This space can be used for passengers, luggage, bicycles, camping gear, fresh water, or special equipment. The prototype is designed for a practical range of over 400 kilometers, a distance that the developers say has already been achieved during road tests.
The traction battery supplies energy to not only the drive system but also the camper van, and can additionally power a mobile office. With 200-kW DC fast charging, the energy storage system is said to be able to charge from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes. Solar panels are intended to increase both range and energy independence.
CityFreighter sees this project as proof of concept for the Evolve platform in various specialized vehicle segments. The battery can be maintained, replaced, or upgraded independently. This approach aims to reduce maintenance costs, improve long-term residual value, and open up new possibilities for circular economy concepts.
The demonstrator set to be displayed at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf is, according to the organizers, an invitation to the caravan industry to redesign electric motorhomes from scratch without being constrained by existing limitations. Such an electric travel vehicle opens up new possibilities for the tourism industry.
Several specialized partners are involved in this concept vehicle. Vöhringer is responsible for the lightweight interior design, Motive Development handles the exterior design and vehicle architecture, while CityFreighter developed the fully electric skateboard platform. Opes Solar Mobility provides the integrated photovoltaic system. Other partners include Dometic, Isringhausen, Euramax, Zambelli, Jokon, and Nolden.
CityFreighter is headquartered in the USA. According to a statement, the company aims to electrify various specialized transportation applications through a universal e-platform. Vöhringer from Trochtelfingen in Baden-Württemberg identifies innovative lightweight solutions for the recreational vehicle and caravan market as his core expertise.
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About the author
Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions for ecomento.de. Learn more.
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