Electric vehicles are upgrading the camping experience as we know it
Imagine how peaceful camping would be without the loud gas-powered engines running. Electric vehicles are upgrading the camping experience as we know it. Not only are EVs silent, but they also offer unique advantages over gas-powered cars for camping.
EVs are going more off-grid
If you haven’t noticed already, more electric vehicles are going “off-grid” to explore the outdoors, go camping, etc.
In fact, campers are more likely to own an electric vehicle. According to a survey by Kampgrounds of America (via CNN), about 4% of regular campers own an EV, compared to just 1% of Americans.
EV startups like Rivian (RIVN), with its “Electric Adventure Vehicles,” are designing vehicles built for on- and off-road performance. Rivian’s vehicles are made with one mission in mind: “to protect our planet and the cultures that inhabit it for generations to come.”
Although Rivian EVs are “made for the plant,” they are also some of the most hardcore vehicles you will come across.
Rivian’s R1T electric truck offers up to 410 miles of range, an extendable truck bed (up to 83.9″), a gear tunnel and frunk for extra storage, and even an included “Rivian Torch” flashlight in the driver-side door.
The R1T can also plow through +3 feet of water, rock crawl a 100% grade, and tow up to 11,000 lbs.
Rivian’s R1S electric SUV offers just as much capability with up to 400 miles range, 14.9″ of ground clearance, and room for seven. It includes up to 104 cu ft storage space an 7,700 lbs towing.
EVs are upgrading camping as we know it
Rivian is not the only company designing EVs for camping and exploring. Ford, Hyundai, Tesla, Volkswagen, and others are building electric vehicles and features to upgrade the experience.
Electric vehicles already offer distinct advantages over ICE cars, like when towing. Matt Lin, who takes his Ford F-150 Lightning and a camping trailer out every few weeks, explained how the instant torque helps when towing.
“I’m not constantly sitting there watching transmission temps climb, I’m not watching motor temps climb on hills,” Linn said. He lives in “Hill County,” Texas.
Linn added he uses the “frunk almost as an outdoor kitchen because it takes a lot of electrical strain off of the camper.” He uses it to run his coffee maker, ice maker, etc.
Meanwhile, automakers are not the only ones working to improve the camping experience with EVs. Trailer companies are releasing unique new products and features to make EV camping even easier.
Mike Kowal, who pulls an airstream RV with his Rivian R1S, said the SUV learns how the trailer impacts range and adjusts estimates. He can tow about 200 miles with the trailer.
Travel trailer and RV companies joiAirstream, known
Know for its iconic “Silver Bullet” design, Airstream unveiled the Trade Wind in Sept. It’s the company’s most independent travel trailer so far, featuring its biggest battery bank and solar system.
Thor Industries, which owns Airstream, is focusing on aerodynamics to improve efficiency. Thor’s head of product development, McKay Featherstone, said, “As we specifically target electric vehicles, it just becomes doubly important.”
Airstream isn’t the only one. Rivals like Bowlus are going all-in on electric and solar tech for off-grid camping.
Bowlus, which launched the “world’s first all-electric RV,” revealed its new Rivet luxury travel trailer last month. As its most rugged RV yet, the Rivet features a “yacht-quality” battery and solar system for “indefinite time off-grid.”
The Rivet’s +25-ft floor plan includes a separate bedroom, a luxury bathroom with a hotel-style shower, a spacious living room, and a kitchen. Also included is a fridge/freezer, air conditioning, heat, two-burner induction cooktop, microwave, and more.
“We’ve had customers cross coasts, all the way up to Canada, all the way across Canada and back down, all with an electric vehicle,” Bowlus CEO Geneva Long explained.
One of the biggest obstacles right now is charging. Many campsites across the country have older infrastructure and need an upgrade.
KOA has dedicated EV chargers at about 5% of its campsites, which could reach around 50% in the next 5 to 10 years.
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![Kia's electric van spotted in two surprising new versions [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Kia-PV5-versions.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Is it an electric van? Pickup truck? The PV5 can do it all. Kia’s electric van was caught with two new body types for the first time.
What PV5 version is Kia planning to launch?
The PV5 is more than just a futuristic-looking electric van. It’s what Kia calls “the world’s most useful electric mobility vehicle.”
It’s the first from its new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business, which will offer a wide range of customizable EVs, advanced software, and much more.
During its PV5 Tech Day event in July, Kia revealed plans to introduce seven PV5 body types, ranging from a light camper to an open-bed truck.
The PV5 Passenger and Cargo, built for personal and business use, are already rolling out in Europe and South Korea. The Cargo Compact (available in 3- and 4-door configurations) and the Cargo High Roof are also available.
New variants will include an open bed, a light camper, a luxury “Prime” passenger, a built-in truck, and a refrigerated truck.
The refrigerated truck was captured driving in public for the first time in South Korea, offering a closer look at what’s coming soon. Kia will launch three PV5 refrigerated truck models: low, standard, and high.
The video from HealerTV reveals the standard and high versions. In person, the reporter noted that the high version definitely appeared taller than the standard version.
Although the front looks like the PV5 Passenger and Cargo, the back is redesigned for the refrigerated unit. Kia has yet to reveal a launch date, but it’s expected to be by the end of 2025.
Another PV5 variant, the open-bed version, was recently spotted in public in South Korea. Although we’ve seen it a few times before, the new video, also from the folks at HealerTV, offers our best look at the truck-like variant from all angles.
Meanwhile, the PV5 Cargo just set a new Guinness World Record after driving 430.84 miles (693.38 km) on a single charge, while carrying a full load.
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The new 2026 Nissan LEAF has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 303 miles, but real-world tests suggest it can go even further.
New 2026 Nissan LEAF beats range estimates
Nissan upgraded its iconic electric hatch for its third generation, bringing a new style, faster charging, and over 300 miles of driving range.
The 2026 LEAF boasts 25% more driving range than the outgoing model with an official EPA rating of up to 303 miles. That’s a pretty big difference from the up to 212-mile rating on the 2025 LEAF SV Plus.
In the real world, it will likely drive even further. According to Edmunds, the new LEAF “far exceeded its official EPA estimate” in early tests.
The 2026 Nissan LEAF Platinum+ was just put through the Edmunds EV Range Test, traveling 310 miles on a single charge. That’s for the Platinum+ trim, which has an official EPA-estimated driving range of just 259 miles. The SV+ is rated with 288 miles, while the base S+ has 303 miles.
Based on early tests, Edmunds expects all new LEAF trims to offer significantly more driving range than their ratings indicate.
Nissan’s new LEAF also topped the EPA’s efficiency expectations. The 2026 LEAF achieved an energy consumption of 27.8 kWh per 100 miles during the test, compared to the EPA estimated 33 kWh per 100 miles. That’s a nearly 16% improvement.
The Edmunds EV range test offers a more accurate estimate of a vehicle’s real-world range. It’s made up of 60% city and 40% highway with an average speed of 40 mph. The car stays within 5 miles of the posted speed limit, is set at its most efficient setting, and the climate control is set on auto at 72 degrees.
| 2026 Nissan LEAF trim | Starting Price | Driving Range (EPA-estimated) |
| LEAF S+ | $29,990 | 303 miles |
| LEAF SV+ | $34,230 | 288 miles |
| LEAF Platinum+ | $38,990 | 259 miles |
Starting at $29,990, the 2026 Nissan LEAF is poised to challenge the Chevy Equinox EV on price and driving range.
The Chevy Equinox EV LT delivered 356 miles of range and an energy consumption of 28.9 kWh per 100 miles during the Edmunds EV Range Test.
The electric Equinox is currently the third-most-popular EV in the US, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Will the upgrades be enough for the LEAF to make a comeback?
Ready to test drive one to see for yourself? You can use our links below to find Nissan LEAF and Chevy Equinox EVs closest to you.
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We’re getting the first batch of Tesla registration data out of Europe for October 2025, and it confirms the worrying trend we’ve been tracking: Tesla’s demand is in a steep decline.
Based on data from 9 key markets that have reported so far, Tesla’s registrations fell 36.3% year over year (YoY).
Just 4,170 units were registered in these countries (including Norway, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands) compared to 6,549 in those same exact markets in October 2024.
Here are the markets that reported October 2025 data so far:
- 🇫🇷 France: 83.7% Growth (1,784 vs 971) 📈
- 🇪🇸 Spain: 30.6% Decline (393 vs 566) 📉
- 🇮🇹 Italy: 47.1% Decline (256 vs 484) 📉
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands: 47.9% Decline (645 vs 1,238) 📉
- 🇳🇴 Norway: 50.2% Decline (671 vs 1,348) 📉
- 🇵🇹 Portugal: 58.7% Decline (144 vs 349) 📉
- 🇦🇹 Austria: 64.5% Decline (97 vs 273) 📉
- 🇫🇮 Finland: 67.6% Decline (47 vs 145) 📉
- 🇸🇪 Sweden: 88.7% Decline (133 vs 1,175) 📉
The only positive in October for Tesla was the French market, which saw significant growth due to a new EV incentive program for low- to middle-income people.
The rest was disastrous.
While some analysts are trying to push the idea that Tesla’s European sales have now bottomed after two years of decline, most reporting markets in October are showing the worst month of Tesla registrations this year. That includes even months before the availability of the Model Y refresh.
It also includes Norway, which has been one of Tesla’s healthiest markets amid its decline in Europe.
Looking at the year-to-date (YTD) figures for all of Europe, Tesla’s total registrations are down over 30% through the first ten months, falling from over 255,000 units by this time in 2024 to just 177,000 this year.
Electrek’s Take
I truly wonder when Elon or the board is going to do something about this. I know that their idea is that FSD is coming to save the day at some point, but that sounds ridiculous. At a 12% take rate, even once it becomes available in Europe, I doubt it will have a significant impact.
Tesla’s issues in Europe come from two main things: brand damage due to Elon Musk and competition.
Unlike in the US where Tesla has limited competition, the EV market is significantly more competitive in Europe, where some Chinese automakers are already esthablishing a presence and where European, Korean, and Japanese legacy automakers are making more EV models avialable.
Tesla needs a fresh EV lineup in Europe. And eslewhere for that matter.
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