Electric Campers Guide
Discover our electric campervan conversions, combining modern design, comfort and practicality. Explore our guide to electric campervan living with Sunbox Campers.
Electric Campervan Conversion Specialists
Electric campervan conversions have arrived. The range is there, the charging network is there, and the conversions we’re building today are every bit as capable as their diesel equivalents – with lower running costs, a better driving experience, and adventures that leave nothing behind but tyre tracks.
At Sunbox Campers, we’ve been converting electric campervans since the technology became genuinely viable for touring and off-grid adventures. From our workshop in Newhaven, East Sussex, we work with customers from across the UK who are ready to make the switch.
We’ve solved the challenges that held electric back: off-grid heating that works year-round, electrical systems designed for real camping, and practical solutions tested over thousands of miles. Our customers wild camp, tour for weeks, and use their vans in all seasons – electric hasn’t meant compromise.
We convert three van platforms, plus a plug-in hybrid option for those who want extended range flexibility. Each suits different priorities, and we’re genuinely agnostic about which you choose – we’d rather help you pick correctly than push you toward the wrong vehicle.
Download the 35 page Electric Campervan Guide
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Why Choose an Electric Campervan Conversion?
Three Platforms, Different Strengths
We convert three van platforms for electric and electrified campervans. The right choice depends on your priorities, not on us pushing you toward one over another.
The e-Scudo flies under the radar. Most people searching for electric campervans have heard of the ID Buzz; fewer know this option exists. That’s worth reconsidering.
Key Strengths
- Gas heating capability – reliable off-grid warmth year-round
- Genuine 4-berth with pop-top roof and rock ‘n’ roll bed
- Widest interior (1,628mm) for comfortable sleeping
- Strong second-hand market with well-maintained ex-lease vehicles
- We can help source through our Fiat dealer partnership
- Real-World Range: 170-180 miles Rapid Charge: ~45 minutes to 80%
The Stellantis Advantage
No off-grid heating possible. The chassis design doesn’t permit gas installation. Buzz owners use vehicle heating, campsite hook-up, and 12V electric blankets – a different approach that works brilliantly for three-season camping and site-based winter trips.
Best For
The ID Buzz costs more than the e-Scudo. It can’t have off-grid heating installed. The interior is narrower.
And people queue up to buy them.
There’s something about this van that doesn’t fit neatly into a specifications comparison. It taps into decades of VW campervan heritage, wrapping modern electric technology in styling that makes people smile – both the people driving it and everyone who sees it.
Key Strengths
- Up to 180 miles real-world range
- Available as 2 or 4 berth
- 75kWh battery with fast charging
- Full kitchen with sink & hob
- Off-grid heating options available
- Spacious rear storage
- LED lighting & USB charging points
- Built for year-round camping
The Trade-Off
No off-grid heating possible. The chassis design doesn’t permit gas installation. Buzz owners use vehicle heating, campsite hook-up, and 12V electric blankets – a different approach that works brilliantly for three-season camping and site-based winter trips.
Best For
The e-Scudo flies under the radar. Most people searching for electric campervans have heard of the ID Buzz; fewer know this option exists. That’s worth reconsidering.
Key Strengths
- Gas heating capability – reliable off-grid warmth year-round
- Genuine 4-berth with pop-top roof and rock ‘n’ roll bed
- Widest interior (1,628mm) for comfortable sleeping
- Strong second-hand market with well-maintained ex-lease vehicles
- We can help source through our Fiat dealer partnership
- Real-World Range: 170-180 miles Rapid Charge: ~45 minutes to 80%
The Stellantis Advantage
No off-grid heating possible. The chassis design doesn’t permit gas installation. Buzz owners use vehicle heating, campsite hook-up, and 12V electric blankets – a different approach that works brilliantly for three-season camping and site-based winter trips.
Best For
This platform is unique among our offerings: it’s available as both full electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Full Electric (e-Transporter / E-Transit Custom)
Pure electric driving with 150-170 miles real-world range. Rapid charging in around 40 minutes to 80%. Ideal if your typical trips fit within this range and you have reliable charging access.
PHEV (Transporter / Transit Custom)
Combines electric driving for shorter journeys with a petrol engine for longer trips. No range anxiety, but the benefits of electric driving around town and when on campsite hook-up. For many customers, this represents the best of both worlds.
Both versions offer
- Gas heating capability for year-round off-grid camping
- Reimo pop-top roof and Vario rock ‘n’ roll bed (German-engineered for this platform)
- Genuine 4-berth capability
- The familiar Transporter layout
- We can help source through our VW dealer partnership
Which powertrain?
Best For
The Heating Question
The Challenge
Two Approaches
Gas Heating (e-Scudo and e-Transporter) We can install a Propex gas heater that runs from a small campingaz bottle, providing reliable off-grid warmth just like a diesel heater would. If year-round off-grid camping matters to you, this is the most practical solution.
Vehicle Heating + Hook-up + 12V Solutions (ID Buzz) The ID Buzz chassis doesn’t allow gas heating installation. Buzz owners use a combination: vehicle heating for warming the space, campsite hook-up when available, and 12V electric blankets for sleeping. This works brilliantly for three-season camping and site-based trips.
Neither is wrong – they’re different approaches for different camping styles.
Quick Comparison
Feature
Best For
Powertrain Options
Real-World Range
Rapid Charge
Off-Grid Heating
4-Berth Capability
Interior Width
Used Base Vehicle
Kia PV5
Year-round off-grid, families
Electric only
220-250 miles
~30 mins
Yes
Yes
1,565mm
n/a
VW ID Buzz
Range & styling
Electric only
180-230 miles
~26-33 mins
Yes
Yes
1,230mm
£38,000-50,000+
Fiat e-Scudo
Year-round off-grid, families
Electric only
170-180 miles
~45 mins
Yes
Yes
1,628mm
£20,000-28,000
VW Transporter / Ford Custom
Familiar layout, powertrain choice
Electric or PHEV
150-170 miles (electric) / unlimited (PHEV)
~40 mins (electric)
Yes
Yes
~1,780mm
£32,400+
What You Get in a Sunbox Campers Conversion
Sunbox Campers is a design-led company – more atelier than factory. We build beautiful campervans using sustainable materials: FSC-certified wood, Thermafleece insulation (natural sheep’s wool for superior thermal and acoustic performance), and quality fabrics including sustainable options like Chieftain Earthly (100% recycled).
Every van is handcrafted by skilled craftspeople at our East Sussex workshop. We work at a relatively small scale, offering variations of tried and tested designs. This lets us focus on getting each van right for the customer who’ll be living with it.
- Your Personal Touch Every conversion includes choices that make it yours: flooring style and colour, upholstery fabrics, wood finish, interior lining, curtain colour. You work with our team to create something that reflects your personal style.
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Electrical System Options From standard 12V setups suitable for campsite use, through to comprehensive off-grid systems with lithium batteries..etc
We design the electrical system around how you’ll actually use the van. - Cooking & Heating Packages Gas cooking, electric induction, or hybrid approaches. Off-grid heating where the chassis allows. We explain the trade-offs honestly so you can choose what works for your camping style.
Sourcing your van
Used Caddy 5 prices (rough guide):
We can help source your van. We have partnerships with both Fiat and VW dealers, so we can help you find the right vehicle from trusted partners.
Or source it yourself. Many customers find their own vehicle and bring it to us for conversion. Whether you’re in Sussex, London, the Midlands, or further afield, if you can get the van to our Newhaven workshop, we can convert it. We’re happy to advise on what makes a good base vehicle wherever you’re searching.
Next Steps
Already know which vehicle interests you? Get in touch via our online form to discuss conversion options and timelines.
Still deciding? Book a phone chat with Clara at Sunbox Campers. It’s a conversation where we discuss how you plan to use the camper, which vehicle suits your needs, and what a conversion would involve. We can meet at our Newhaven workshop or chat via video call. There’s no hard sell – we’re happy for you to go away and think about it.
Want to see examples? Browse our completed conversions, or ask about viewing a finished van in person at our East Sussex workshop.
Knowledge hub
- The Ultimate Guide to Heating Your Electric Campervan
- Fiat e-Scudo: The Electric Van You Haven’t Considered
- The 3 Best Electric Vans for Campervan Conversion
- Making the Transition from Diesel to Electric
- Fiat e-Scudo vs VW ID Buzz
- Electric Campervans FAQs
- ULEZ Compliant Campervans
- Electric Campervan Road Trips – Detailed Itineraries with Charging Locations
Contact Sunbox Campers
We’d love to hear from you! Please drop us an email or give us a call to organise a consultation.
Where We Are
Sunbox Campers is based in Newhaven, East Sussex – on the south coast between Brighton and Eastbourne. We’re easy to reach from London and the South East, with good transport links from across the UK.
We convert campervans for customers from all over Britain. While our workshop is in Sussex, we regularly work with owners from London, the Home Counties, the Midlands, and beyond. If you can get your van to us, we can convert it – and many customers combine the drop-off or collection with a trip to the Sussex coast or South Downs.
Thinking of visiting? You’re welcome to see our workshop, view completed conversions, and discuss your project in person. We also offer video consultations if you’d prefer to start the conversation remotely.
Download the Caddy Maxi brochure
PDF with photos, specs, finishes, and the full conversion process.
