Electric camper Dethleffs e.home can do without external charging

29 September 2017

The German company has decided not to mass production

In Western countries, private households are increasingly used solar panels. At the same time, growing popularity of cars with electric drive. The German company Dethleffs decided to combine two trends and built electroqueer, completely covered with photocells.

Model Dethleffs e.home is built on the basis of Iveco Daily Electric. This van is equipped with a 107-horsepower electric motor. The manufacturer offers several versions of the batteries, the eldest of whom has a range of 280 kilometers. But there are a couple of refinements. First, this result is stated for the base chassis, which is heavier camper will be less Autonomous. Second, the considered driving cycle NEDC, which usually overestimates the real figures.

According Dethleffs, taking into account the full load (and it's not only furniture and accessories but also the supply of water) e.home can drive about 167 kilometers. The battery is able to withstand 1,500 charge cycles, that is, in total it will last about 250 000 kilometers.

All parties e.home covered with solar panels: total area is 31 square meters. According to the manufacturer, in ideal conditions they are capable of generating up to 3 kW of energy storage, which uses sodium-Nickel-chloride battery. In addition, supercapacitors are installed that increase the efficiency of complex power system.

To make electric camper more energy efficient, engineers Dethleffs used a few tricks. As you know, heating homes requires a lot of electricity, and to optimize this process, developers have applied the material with the effect of heat to change its phase state. Such a substance absorbs heat when the ambient temperature is above 26 degrees Celsius and emit it back at night. Additionally, the salon was established effective infrared heaters that raise the temperature of objects directly and not through the heating of the air.

While Dethleffs e.home is only a prototype. German company announces plans for series production of this model and its estimated cost.