FULLY ELECTRIC Mercedes Camper Van - Tonke EQV
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- Finally! A fully-electric camper van with a realistic range of 320km, about 200 miles.
Based on the Mercedes EQV and converted by Tonke in the Netherlands, this van has the combined advantages of a camper van and an EV.
00:00 - Introduction
00:34 - Tour of the Tonke EQV
03:22 - Specifications, Price, Battery, and charging on campsites
06:41 - Interview with Martin from Tonke
09:03 - Outro
The Tonke EQV only has the Type 2 and CCS electrical inlet, and not a separate campsite hook-up. Therefore campsites will need to allow this vehicle to plug directly into the 16 amp socket on the EHU Bollard. Martin explains that there is the option to draw 6, 8, 10, 13, or 16 amps, but some site operators will need to review their policies in the light of such progress.
For more information please see www.tonke.eu/en/models/tonke-...
Many thanks to @Moira_Gloucestershire for bringing this vehicle to my attention.
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Some very nifty well thought through packaging in that origami kitchen. Great vid Andrew, despite rude man having a nosey and poking about while Simeon was giving the demo.
Thank you Andrew for following up for me on this. I could not make it to Düsseldorf. I feel privileged for this review. It felt like being there in person. Good questions and points too.
Glad you enjoyed it Moira, and thanks for the tip-off!
Hari OM
Yes! The message is getting through and things are starting to move.... but oh, that price 😁Thanks for taking the time to hunt this one out, Andrew. YAM xx
We have to thank Moira for pointing me in the right direction, I can't take credit for finding it :)
Thanks for video from Denmark good too see you and Caravans saloon 🏴🇩🇪🇩🇰
Love it! What an awesome little camper van.
Great van Andrew, but for many people in these tighter times now and ahead, the main attraction of a pop up top electric or manual, isn't just less drag it's the ability to get into most height restricted car parks meaning it can be the only vehicle, rather than an occasional spare! Electric, petrol, diesel, auto gas or hydrogen it still has the advantage of being a genuine all purpose vehicle ie shopping trolley, 4/5 seat taxi, day van, camper or truck to take rubbish to the tip or recycle centre. Much more affordable than needing 2 vehicles, and that to an increasing number of people is now going to be very important. It's unfortunate but I think most designers of these things are rather slow to catch on to what real people, particularly at the lower end of the market really need! Thanks again for great reviews, keep up the good work,
All the beat Barry
Excellent points, cheers Barry!
When I first heard you Tonke, I thought it was Tonka who manufacture indestructible toys. Now that would be a fun Camper.
Haha, yes, me too! I remember Tonka toys.
All the boys play with Tonka toys.
@@tonysutton6559 haha! 🤣
Blimey - an electric van *and* a Mac in the same video: what’s not to like?! 😛 Some lovely creative thinking in that kitchen design too.
I’ve had EVs - a Nissan Leaf, for one - on extended test drives, and they really worked for me as a daily driver. However, on average I buy 20-35 year old vans as a cost-saving measure (my current van’s a 1984 Freight Rover which was converted in 1997) which means, sadly, an electric van is out of the question…for now!
catching up after a week away on the south coast with very poor wi-fi signal - never fear we were in a static so got the compact "caravan" experience. Done it for the last 20 years and nothing says holiday in the same way as it does - hotels are so passe'
That sounds like an improvement, last time I looked at the Merc EQV it had a small battery, no rapid charging and was limited to 50mph aimed at city use.
I like the idea of a kitchen that can be used in or out, but Mercs are out of my price range. Shame Kia don't do an electric van, that would be interesting
Love this one. We’re planning to rent it for a week to try it out.
Excellent!
Can't wait to see an electric Sprinter RV.
Wow that's a nice van!! Love the kitchen bit! You can cook standing up properly! That's if it's not raining!! Scandinavian is it? Pricey but it's all electric so only expected. When's the next one out? I didn't realise this one had been uploaded! Have you left Dusseldorf? Take care travelling back, loved this! Hugs! xxxx 😘🐕🥰
Thanks! If it's raining you easily turn the kitchen inside while cooking. Tonke is originally developed and built in the Netherlands :)
Hi Anne, yes I'm on the way back now. Next one Friday as I'll be travelling. Hugs back! :) xx
Hopefully you will be able to take one of those on a proper road test in the near future!
Andrew, please do! :)
I'd LOVE to!!! Let's talk :)
@@andrewjditton can't wait to see the video
You might be only drawing 10 amps, but a full ten amps for the whole time your there. Clear answer would be a meter on each site and you pay what use whoever you are.
Yes, I think that's the way things will go.
👍🍀😁top. Thank you
While I do follow the idea of leaving with a full charge and setting the amount of power drawn, I would like to have a separate 'normal' power socket as well on the van. It can be almost fully hidden without a problem if you like to do so, where a css plug is much bulkier.
Second.. why use a second battery? You charge it from the main battery anyway, so why add the extra weight, cost and it isn't that good for that small battery. Maybe the idea is that you take power from the main battery, but in case of almost running out (safety switch off so you can still drive x km) you still have some power?
To end with a very positive note: I really like the idea of a swinging out kitchen/storage. Something I might think of as an idea for a next van (much bigger because 2 adults/2kids/2dogs).
I myself was confused why my EV also has a second battery, and apparently it's to do with safely supplying 12v to the appliances. Apparently you can't safely do it from the 800v battery.
Just a class conversion, absolutely brilliant!
Price wow!!
You should have seen the €180,000 VW Crafter next door! :-/
Andrew's reviewed his 1st Tonke toy!😜
Interesting. Educating campsites... we stayed on one this year where one of their rules said no plugging in of electric vehicles as they are not a fuel station.
Indeed. But do people pay a lower pitch fee if they forego a hook-up? If so, fair dues.
@@andrewjditton that particular campsite in Wales only gave you the option if you were a tent... lovely site though! I'll be looking forward to your test run in that cute little Tonke, love your reviews 😊
Not cheap, but bearing in mind that base EQVs are EUR 66k, not unreasonable given the excellent finishing of this camper. They also do an ‘adventure’ model, but that has the kitchen at the back, so you have to stand outside. This is not the first EV campervan - Sussex Campervans has done an all electric van for about two years, but driving range is really limited. However, you should get in touch with Wellhouse Leisure. I saw that they have just a few days ago launched a Vivaro-e based van. See th-cam.com/video/rnOtXPhVeRA/w-d-xo.html. It seems to be a bit bigger than this Tonke van, with a traditional side kitchen layout. Not sure about price, but the base vehicle is cheaper than the Merc (but also shorter range at 205 WLTP is 205 miles on the base vehicle).
Top tip-off, thanks Alex!
The Tonke is nice and a good start, I personally don’t like pop tops but I look forward to other vans being made all electric. What is Dougal’s dog friend called? Is it your Mum’s dog?
That's Bradley, my Mum's dog :)
Curious about what looks like an outdoor shower there? I suppose it can also be used as a washing station in conjunction with the kitchen unit? How does it stow away during travel?
The outdoor shower is hidden underneath the fuel valve! You can easily pull out the hose and slide it back in when finished.
120 Euro K. Sounds a bit rich for me. A mate bought a brand new California Ocean for £54 K in 2017. Think i`ll wait a bit.
Good to see that someone has started the ball rolling re ev vans. I’m sure other brands will start to trickle them through eventually.
No they won't - just like diesel cars were once promoted by the government and are now the bad guy, EV's will be unaffordable for most with the rising cost of energy. Sadly comments that reflect reality are being deleted by Andrew. I didn't realise discussion was such a bad thing.
Why are you accusing me of deleting comments when I’m doing no such thing?
Please forgive me if I’m wrong, but other comments I’ve left and edited on two recent vlogs are no longer visible. That would appear to me they’ve been removed. They were respectful and in no way derogatory but they pointed out the shortcomings of EV’s. I feel it fair that the pro’s and cons are aired together to give people information from which to judge. I respect you are fully committed to EV’s but like the push years ago to go diesel, that is now frowned on. It will not be hindsight to point out EV’s will be unaffordable to run with energy prices rising.
The ball started rolling in China with electric vans back in 2015 - I drive an electric RV made in 2018.
P
That’s FANTASTIC, great find and really, really great layout, double side doors are the biz sooooo much better than single. Love swing out kitchens, great to have the outdoor cooking option to keep smells out in such a small space IF the weather is ok and great choice of materials. Yes ok it’s a bit pricey but compare that to a VW Cali… then it doesn’t seem that pricey especially when allowing for lifetime fuel (depending on how much electric costs increase…) costs and totally practical, brilliant range coupled with silence and fantastic torque. It’s a total winner for me! I’d happily spend 40minutes sat in that great space having a cuppa whilst charging :) Personally I remain to be convinced that site owners HAVE to allow EVs to charge, I don’t expect them to have a diesel pump after all, more of a case for it on these non ultra rapid charge vehicles though, yes it’s convenient to charge on site but for me it feels like a relatively short term issue - ultra rapid public infrastructure & vehicle tech is more important and likely to solve the last few niggles folks have…
How does the heating work
Unlike traditional vans, you might be able to use the cars Aircon when standing still.
Yes! Using heating as well as airconditioning is possible when standing still!
@@tonkecampers surprised on this size van you’re not indicating this as a MAJOR selling point. I have a California and summer anywhere in Europe your sleep would be much better, either because of lower temperature but equally lower humidity when dew point is reached at the end night, also reduces condensation on windows with its own issues
@@tonkecampers by the way the fold out kitchen would benefit from a screen to the indoor section, many people incl myself don’t like cooking in the van because of the smells you have to sleep in. Wonder whether converting a wider front passenger seat into a bed, similar to VW California back seat is a better use of space. , there are option of such wider seats to also be rotated so it doesn’t preclude that
why no solar for recharing vehicle battery?????
Love the van, just need to save my pennies! 😁🤦♀️
Nice camper!! Will it be available here in England?
I guess you'll need to check with Tonke if they can do a RHD version.
expensive way to express what a good and virtuous person you are, I'll be hanging on to my diesel thanks
Enjoy the fuel price rises....
Defensive, much?
Wrong
bloc cuisine super astucieux
Most important question is, does it corrode same as other MB vans? If answer is yes, then good luck to new owners.
Can't imagine anyone in their right mind would spend that sort of money for what is a very average van.
There were way more expensive ICE vans there!
At last ev campers,great layout,it a pity they don't find 16a input usefully,what would happen if you get to a site and are on 15% battery,can't move and cant stay to charge.
Wtmring
Can we buy this beauty in Denmark ?
Sites will be forced into Metering the electric with estimates in the pipeline of £2 a kWh for com and £1 for domestic someone running a 2 kWh heater in their awning constant will burn £4.an hour and possibly 80 pounds a day by my maths so charging electric cars will be a huge issue .
Sadly I think you may be right David. We're heading into uncertain times on this front.
I wish they would. People neec to appreciate how much fuel they are using and therefore what effect on the environment their endeavours have.
Charging someone £80 a day to heat a tent seems fair. All they are doing is using fuel to heat the planet. Twice. It's a tent so the heat will not stay in. Just buy better sleeping bags and jumpers, save a polar bear!
Nice try. Not really bigger than the eFixxter.
I'm holding on for an eTransit. Surely it can be done for the same money.
All quite nice but jeez 120.000€ for that car? Goodness me...
Trust me, that was nowhere near the price of some of the vans this year! :-/
What if I need to drive 500km?
You stop somewhere between 250 and 300km at a fast charger and charge it up to 80% (30 to 40 mins) which will get you to where you are going. Do you regularly drive 500km none stop? Personally 2 to 3 hours is my limit before stopping for cofee and the toilet.
120K € !
Evening Andrew…..👍🇮🇲. Ooh I’m first….😳
19ltrs of water ,that should be good for 1 day then
In general we see than it’s sufficient for 3 days.
EV's are getting there but they aren't getting far enough for me distance wise at the moment. My medical condition means that I have about 5 or 6 hours of useful energy in a day and after lunchtime I crash down to about 20% energy level so we like to use that 5 or 6 hours to drive constantly (switching over between us every 60 to 90 minutes) to blast the journey out in one go and then get stopped and set up.
This way we can get to the ports to get the boats to the Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland etc in 2 days or through the channel tunnel and into France in one day. I can understand you enjoying your stops and experiencing the journey but an EV just wouldn't work for us at the moment. Maybe the range with be there as we approach 2030 and I can then decide whether to buy a late model diesel van or an EV with, hopefully, 400 or 500 mile range.
You're very unlikely to ever get a "500 mile" van.
Sorry to hear about your condition Tony, that can't be fun at all. Faster charging is more likely than bigger batteries for now which would help - as does adopting the mindset that the holiday starts as soon as you leave home! All the best.
@@rogerstarkey5390 I don't know, battery technology is coming on in leaps and bounds. A few years ago people would have laughed at the idea of a 300 mile electric van.
Will not be a getting another combustion engine vehicle.
What a shame - genuine comments deleted because they don't endorse EV's.
An incorrect assumption. I don’t delete respectful comments that express a different opinion to mine.
I’m not looking for discord Andrew, I posted 3 comments on two of your vlogs and they are no longer there. How can that be an incorrect assumption?
€120,000 is ridiculous
On the stand next door was a VW Crafter conversion for €180,000. Makes the Tonke look more than reasonable.
@@andrewjditton was there a Nissan e NV200 camper there, which start at around the £67 k
@@td2691 but they are tiny.
This is aimed at the California buyer and they start in the £70k range but soon head way north of that with options.
EVs always command a premium so that needs to be factored in.
I can't afford either but the pricing seems reasonable compared to the actual competition and people that can afford them may well have their heads turned I think.
Lets remember too more and more cities are charging for ICE vehicles to enter.
If this was also your commuter (some people only have one vehicle) kt would save you £8 going into Birmingham, more in London I think. Saves on fuel too. Maybe servicing?
What's the real world ?
On the road in stop/start traffic going up & down hills as opposed to a constant speed on a flat test track on a windless day with no need to use the lights, wipers etc that eat into battery life.
@@tonysutton6559
EVs are MORE economical in slow traffic.
When they're not moving, they're not using.
.
320km is 200 miles.
Realistically, in the UK that's 3-3.5 hrs.
Stop for a comfort break and that's another 150 miles.
Miisipey. River fett dreamed too shallow only 4 fet. Depp
I can buy a house for that price. Over priced and over rated.
Indeed. But compared to the €180,000 VW Crafter conversion next door, or the €800,000 26 tonne motorhome that's coming up on this channel, it's quite the steal.
Wribg
Ridiculous price for what is essentially a repurposed electric 'van'.
Not compared to the €180,000 VW Crafter conversion on the neighbouring stand…