Mercedes-Benz, known for its Marco Polo campers based on the Vito and the V-Class, showcased its first EV camper based on the EQV. The fully electric MPV was converted to a camper by Swiss company Sortimo Walter Rüegg PLC and is available in the European market. The conversion includes a pop-up roof with a roof bed and optional integrated solar panels, a modular bed unit for the rear compartment, and a kitchenette unit for the luggage compartment. At the same time, the EQV camper can still be used as a passenger van with the deployment of the rear seats.
Inside , campers will benefit from the
tinted rear windows, interior lighting, USB ports for charging their devices,
the MBUX infotainment system plus swiveling seats at the front. The kitchen at
the back has everything you need for preparing a meal out in the wild including
a sink, a two-rig removable gas cooker, a refrigerator box, and drawers for
storing cutlery, cooking utensils, and supplies. All of them are combined in a
compact box that can nicely fit in the EQV’s boot, leaving room for the
foldable bed above it.
The modules are designed to be light,
since weight is an important factor of the electric range. Additionally, the
roof-mounted solar panels can produce 400 watts, contributing to charging the
starter battery and auxiliary battery for camping. The EQV is available in two
lengths, measuring 5,140 mm or 5,370 mm. The
model is fitted with an electric motor producing 201 hp and
362 Nm of torque sending power to the front axle. In terms of
batteries, the EQV 250 has a 60 kWh unit allowing a WLTP range of 213-236 km, while the EQV 300 has a larger 90 kWh battery offering a
longer range of 326-363 km.
The latter can charge from 10-80 percent
in 45 minutes when connected to a 110 kW rapid charger. Still, this kind of
range limits the use scenarios of the model and we suspect that many camping
lovers will opt for a diesel or gasoline-powered counterpart, especially if
they plan to travel in countries without widespread charging infrastructure.
