While there has been a lot of talk about the potential for electric vehicles to transform the Big Lap, it has all been pretty hypothetical … until now!
Tom and Alison Sjolund are about to become among Australia’s first ‘electric grey nomads’, and the pioneering pair think that many others will eventually follow in their environmentally-friendly footsteps.
The Queensland-based couple have just ordered a new Volvo EX30, which they expect to take delivery of early next year, and which they say is more than capable of towing their 15’4 Wild Boar Road Trotter van.
“Pulling a van with an EV is easy as you have maximum torque as you pull away, weight is not a big issue … but aerodynamics comes into play especially at speed,” said Tom.
Tom and Alison have invested in a lightweight van for their trip.
“Range will be reduced by 30-50% depending on speed, altitude and temperature but not really a problem, and our aim is to use fast chargers most of the way.”
Tom and Alison have already travelled widely since selling their successful business back in 2012, but they can’t wait to take a fully electric Big Lap.
“WA is a challenge as there is a lack of charging stations but the situation is improving every month so, by the time we are ready to go, things will have improved,” said Tom. “From Port Douglas in Queensland to at least Adelaide in SA there are so many charging stations now, and most of them only use renewable power.”
And the couple say they won’t be totally reliant on charging stations. Tom is converting the power supply in the Road Trotter van with over 2.5kW of power, which he says will completely charge the batteries of the car if they camp somewhere for two or three days.
“It is not a race to get from one place to another,” said Tom. “Camping is the peace in our life!”
The van will have 3x430W solar panels on a rack on the roof and these will keep the house batteries charged when on the road. When the couple stop to camp, a further three panels will pull out from the rack which will also form a three metre-by-two-metre awning.
Tom says the van will also be totally electric with its own battery supply to power an induction cooktop, air fryer, and fridge.
Having initially done a lot of travelling with a Holden Colorado towing a 21’6 van before ‘downsizing’ to the Road Trotter, the couple are looking forward to not spending big bucks at the bowser … but it’s not just about the money.
“We see climate change as the biggest challenge that mankind is facing but that should not stop us exploring our country,” said Tom. “So, what can we do? We could embrace the future for a start!”
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An interesting story, but they have only ordered the EV Volvo and have 6 months to wait before it arrives.
Andrew Ditton in England has a EV Kia and caravan and has been touring many times. He offers a sensible insight into EV caravanning.
https://youtu.be/66pDheDQKzc?si=wcCllH7WxT0VylSA
That link links to BCF not to any video about a Kia and a caravan
they are cutting it very close to the maximum towing limits so the trailer can’t be loaded to it’s maximum
I”ll wait with interest to read all the positives and negatives after the big lap is finished.
Good luck..!
Fantastic to see people doing this, especially when so many are going the bigger and heavier path.
We will be doing very similar over time. We are starting with a Mobi Nomad XL with several mods that will improve it significantly. A hard sided camper that ticks quite a few boxes. Most importantly it’s about weight and aerodynamics. That will allow us to get a suitable vehicle down the track. There’s going to be quite a few good options appearing in the next few years in that space.
Likewise power systems are still going to improve significantly as well.
Best of luck with your travels. There’s no doubt plenty of challenges and knockers to deal with.
I have a feeling …
They are going to be bitterly disappointed.
Towing a 1ton van. My trailer weights more than that. And range reduced from 480km (no real as you would be parked at the side of the road) down to 240/250km. Where are they going? to the end of the street, then takes hours to recharge. Your doing Perth to Darwin, almost 3000km. It’s going to take you weeks… ha ha ha
Ambitious but not really practical at this time.
Maybe in a few years time.
Can’t image people selling their 3 ton caravans & all the other heavy duty gear to buy a lightweight “dog box” like the one in the story.
Will Tom and Alison be documenting their journey on a blog or social media? I think it will be a great learning experience for everyone no matter how far they get
I am guessing that visitor numbers to Limmen, the Gibb, the Tanami, Mitchell etc, will drop, until there are sufficient Charging Stations installed.
Given the number of Wifi towers, phone boxes, toilets, dump poinrs, water taps and so on that DO NOT EXIST yet, I cant see EV stations getting a quick leg-up anytime soon.
The single motor ex30 is only rated to 1400kg. So the van already exceeds the legal limit.
Tge dual motor model can pull 1600kg, but costs $70,000.
Looking at the wheels and tyres, Im guessing they will be staying on the bitumen as well.
For that sort of money, I will be recycling my go-anywhere diesel for many years.