If there's one category of the motoring world that seems well-suited to electrification, it's camper vans and recreational vehicles. They're naturally boxy, making them ideally suited to large battery packs; they're generally not driven at high speeds, which means they don't suffer from the velocity-related drag penalties autobahn-friendly EVs do; and they depend on ample power supplies for off-grid camping, a task much more efficiently (and cleanly) accomplished using electricity than internal combustion engines.
Yet so far, few RV makers or camper van companies have built electric-only versions. Don't blame them, though; much of that is due to a lack of vehicles to build off. While automakers have begun branching out into EV vans, they've generally been short-range models meant for local deliveries. A 150-mile battery may be fine for your plumber or FedEx driver, but it'll make awful slow going as you try to road trip across America.
Or at least, that has been a problem until recently. Enter: the Grounded G2.
The Grounded G2 offers 250 miles of range, thanks to GM's BrightDrop Zevo platform
Unless you're in the fleet vehicle business, you're probably unfamiliar with the BrightDrop Zevo. In a nutshell: it's a work van based on the same Ultium platform General Motors is using to underpin its whole line of new & upcoming electric vehicles, like the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Grounded's G2 is based on the Zevo 600; it boasts a 165-kWh battery pack and has all-wheel-drive via dual electric motors that serve up a combined output of 300 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque.
When the time comes to power up, it can recharge at up to 120 kW on a DC fast charger, or at up to 11 kW on Level 2 AC power. Roughly speaking, with a maximum range of 250 miles or so, you should be able to charge from almost zero to 80 percent — figure about 150-180 miles of range — in an hour on any Electrify America charger or other station putting out at least 150 kW. It also packs 640 watts of solar panels on the roof, enabling you to run many features off sunlight without cutting into the drive battery — or even dump electrons back into the main power pack in a pinch.
It's as roomy as a traditional camper van inside, and offers modular interior configurations
With 615 cubic feet of living space, the G2's cabin is ample by camper van standards. There's a queen-sized bed at the stern with a gear garage hidden underneath, a pair of benches with a flip-up table, a kitchen with induction stove, fridge / freezer and sink, and even a decent-sized closet. The whole living quarters appear to be split off from the driver's compartment via a solid door, as well.
Of course, that's just the prototype Grounded is showing off. The brand says the G2 is designed to have a modular, plug-and-play interior that enables buyers to configure their van in different ways, enabling them to choose added seating, sleeping areas or other options as they see fit. Grounded even says they'll offer a refitting service, so owners can come back down the road and have their van refitted into a new configuration if their needs change.
The Grounded G2 starts at a hefty $195,000, and deliveries start October 2024
There is, of course, a downside: you will pay an electric car premium for the privilege of saying goodbye to gas on your camper van adventures. The G2's base price of $195,000 makes it more than $50,000 pricier than, say, the Airstream Rangeline, a petroleum-powered Ram ProMaster van that also includes features like an indoor shower and a pop top sleeping space.
Still, as with electric cars, you're certainly likely to save money with regards to maintenance (no oil changes, remember) and fuel, especially if you can regularly recharge at campgrounds, houses and hotels instead of Level 3 fast chargers. And let's face it — there's definitely something to be said for enjoying all the luxuries of your pint-sized RV in the peace of nature without being worried that you're polluting it as you do so.
