Motorhome base vehicle manufacturers investigate diesel alternatives

Motorhome base vehicle manufacturers are accelerating moves to introduce alternatives to diesel engines – currently the only option available to motorhome buyers in the UK

However, while there is growing interest in alternatives to diesel engines, motorhomers are continuing to buy new models in record numbers.

Sales at the end of 2017 – we’re still waiting for the official figures – are again expected to smash previous records and exceed 13,400. At the end of October 2017, sales had already exceeded 12,700.

But, despite the record levels of sales of diesel-powered motorhomes, there is an undeniable backlash to diesel engines and the motorhome industry is keeping a close eye on developments of alternatives to diesel, as well as the introduction of ever-stricter vehicle emissions standards and moves by urban centres to restrict diesel vehicle use.

For example, almost every European country now has some sort of low-emission zone system in operation. Italy and Germany have the hundreds of zones but there are now restrictions on where you can drive from the top of Norway in the north to the Italian island of Sicily in the south and from Lisbon in Portugal in the west to Suceava in Romania in the west.

Closer to home, London will introduce its new Ultra-low Emissions Zone in less than 18 months and five other English cities (Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton) will introduce clean air zones by 2020, although what these will mean for motorhome owners is not yet clear.

Not surprisingly, while sales of motorhomes remain at record levels, customers – especially those looking at campervans that may be used as everyday vehicles – are beginning to ask questions.

At the NEC motorhome show last October, many exhibitors were asked about alternatives to diesel, as David Elliott of campervan manufacturer, Wellhouse Leisure, explained: “People are more worried about ‘can I have it at home and visit the city’, rather than OMG it only does 20mpg.”

However, we should remember that the latest Euro VI engines are significantly cleaner than their predecessors. Many also argue that diesel is still the ideal power source for motorhomes, as Roberto Fumarola, Fiat Professional EMEA Motorhome Director, said: “Diesel is still the best option for efficiency and performance. Electric and hybrids are the future but diesel is best for motorhomes right now.” 

Nevertheless, base vehicle manufacturers are now bringing alternatives to market, with Mercedes-Benz stating it plans to electrify all its commercial vehicle range, starting with the eVito, which will be introduced this year followed by an eSprinter in 2019 and then the Citan.

Ford is also on board and is already trialling its hybrid Transit Custom with plans to launch this zero-emission-capable plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model later this year. It is expected that campervans such as the Auto Campers MRV, Danbury Go and Wellhouse Terrier, all of which are based on a Ford, should become available in hybrid form soon.

Volkswagen, which made petrol versions of its T6 Transporter available last June, says it’s too early to report any sales figures, but campervan converter, Bilbo’s, says half of all its new campervans ordered are now petrol.

“Buyers are now looking to ‘future proof’ their investment by ordering petrol-engined vehicles in the knowledge that they will have a longer lifespan and that residue values will be better than diesel,” said Bilbo’s Co-partner, David Latham. “Interestingly, they are not particularly bothered about fuel consumption and the lack of range a petrol vehicle has versus a diesel.”

VW also confirmed that it would build a production version of its all-electric ID Buzz concept from 2022. This microbus, with its batteries mounted in the floor and its long wheelbase and short overhangs, should make a perfect base for a campervan.

Nissan now offers an upgraded battery for its E-NV200 van, giving it a range of over 170 miles between charges. Hillside Leisure, which scored a world first when it unveiled a version of its Dalbury electric camper based on the E-NV200 in 2015, is still the only manufacturer offering a campervan built on this all-electric base vehicle.

“The Nissan Dalbury is still being well received even more since they released the 40kw/h battery giving it a 173-mile range,” said Hillside’s Sales Manager, Leigh Mcara. However, he added that: “We’ve also has lots of enquiries for petrol models but we find people still prefer the more economic value that diesel gives. For the future we are looking to various alternatives, as they come available.”

There are also other larger electric vans on the market, including battery versions of the Renault Master and Iveco Daily, which may – when and if payload and range issues have been resolved – provide the base for a new generation of motorhomes.

Of course, most of these alternatives are going to require a recharging infrastructure, which raises issues for campsite operators.

Both the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club already offer charging for electric vehicles.

C&MC spokesperson, Nikki Nichol, says: “We understand times are changing and are looking at our current development plans to understand how feasible it is to introduce more pitches with the facility for charging electrical vehicles.”

The Club’s Technical Manager, Martin Spencer, added: “Larger motorhomes are more challenging. All the manufacturers seem to have electric or hybrid prototypes, plus a few hydrogen or LPG/CNG powered ones. It’s not clear when these will reach production, though. I don’t see much shift from diesel for this sector for at least another five years. To be honest, from an efficiency, emissions and general driveability point of view, a Euro VI diesel remains a perfectly sensible choice for a motorhome, subject to two provisos: the government doesn’t change the taxation regime for diesel too radically. They didn’t at the October budget, following lots of manufacturer lobbying. That might change in the future. And, you don’t plan to keep it really long-term, over which period even the currently cutting-edge engines may end up subject to low emission/clean air zones which will restrict urban access.”

The Camping and Caravanning Club says it is gauging demand for vehicle recharging points at its sites and will reach accordingly.

Interestingly, the University of Pisa found that taking holidays in a motorhome can reduce pollution emissions by as much as 52% compared to a traditional holiday.