Modular electric van from Germany makes a compact campervan

x-bus van prototype by electric brands

The country of autobahns and popular car models, Germany is among the leading regions in electric vehicle development. Enterprises are not only cranking out electric versions of Volkswagen Golfs or Audi A3s, but innovative businesses are trying out something new as well. Electric Brands is one of these innovators that recently introduced a prototype of its product. The startup has created an electric van called X-Bus that makes use of modules in its configuration.

It is not a coincidence that a modern family sedan, van, pickup truck, coupé, or station wagon are what they are today. They have tens of years of evolution behind. Electric vehicles can – and to a certain extent will – change the setup created by traditional petrol engine cars. The space within the chassis of an electric vehicle can be rethought. Many features are possible in electric cars that haven’t been possible earlier.

X-Bus is planned to be available in nine configurations. One of these is camper van. The key features are a sleeping area for two people, a compact kitchen with a sink, a refrigerator and hotplate. That’s very good for the small space available, only one vital feature is missing: a portable toilet, but perhaps there is space under the bench.

Lack of storage space makes the X-Bus suitable for weekend trips and other short getaways. For instance, a two week tour of Scandinavia requires clothes and shoes for all kind of weather.

View the video where the CEO of the company gives a sneak preview to the X-Bus:

The planned list price in Germany is attractive: about 18 000 euros. Larger battery and additional features increase the price. The production should start in 2022. Electric Brands is inviting people join their crowdfunding campaign.

When used as a campervan, the range of the vehicle is a crucial feature. The vendor claims 600 km / 373 mile range for the X-Bus with a large battery and solar panels. The maximum speed is 100 km/h. The van is compact and light so it can go a long way.

x-bus electric camper van

For a van, the X-Bus is very compact in size. It is just about 4 meters / 13 feet long, 2m / 6.5 feet tall, and 1m 70cm / 5.5 feet wide. Compared to the Nissan E-Nv200 (4m 56cm, 1m 85cm, 1m 75cm), the X-Bus is shorter. Below the details from Electric Brands:

Technical dataXBUS StandardXBUS Offroad
Length3945 mm3945 mm
Width1633 mm1691 mm
Height1963 mm2038 mm
Wheelbase2200 mm2200 mm
Front track width1352 mm1418 mm
Rear track width1287 mm1353 mm
Overhang in front964 mm964 mm
Rear overhang781 mm781 mm
Tires185/75 R16185/75 R16
Approach angle at the front26 degrees31 degrees
Departure angle at the rear41 degrees41 degrees
Ramp angle31 degrees40 degrees
Ground clearance in the middle239 mm244 mm
Outside ground clearance200 mm205 mm
Loading height955mm1030 mm
DriveAll-wheel driveAll-wheel drive
Motors4 wheel hub motors at 3.75KW continuous power4 wheel hub motors at 3.75KW continuous power
Duration of system performance15 KW15 KW
Peak performance56 KW56 KW
SuspensionIndependent wheel suspension, front with double wishbones, rear with trailing arm axleIndependent wheel suspension, front with double wishbones, rear with trailing arm axle
ConstructionModular with interchangeable attachmentsModular with interchangeable attachments
Battery placementIn drawers, in the middle or at the back, depending on the moduleIn drawers, in the middle or at the back, depending on the module
Battery capacityFrom 10 Kwh to 30 Kwh possibleFrom 10 Kwh to 30 Kwh possible
Range in Cityt mode at 10kwh on boardup to 200 kmup to 200 km
Range in mix mode at 10kwh on boardup to 140 kmup to 140 km
Range per extra battery pack city modeup to 25 kmup to 25 km
Range per extra battery pack mix modeup to 17.5 kmup to 17.5 km
Charging capacity of the solar roof in the driver’s cab approx 1.3m2 x 200W260 Watt Peak260 Watt Peak
Charging power solar roof center cabin approx 1.8m2 x 200W360 Watt Peak360 Watt Peak
Charging power solar roof rear module approx. 1m2 x 200W200 Watt Peak200 Watt Peak
Maximum torque1.200 NM1.200 NM
Battery systemLithium battery packs at 1.25 kWhLithium battery packs at 1.25 kWh
Charging time AC up to 3.6 kw 1-phase socket at 10 kwh (10-80%)approx. 3Happrox. 3H
Charging time AV 11 KW type 2 (10-80%) standard executionless than 1Hless than 1H
Acceleration from 0 – 50cannot be displayed yetcannot be displayed yet
Acceleration from 0-100cannot be displayed yetcannot be displayed yet
Top speed>100 km/h>100 km/h
Braking distancecannot be displayed yetcannot be displayed yet
Empty weight depending on the chosen structureapprox. 500 – 800 kg without batteriesapprox. 500 – 800 kg without batteries
Payloadapprox. 800 – 1,100 kgapprox. 800 – 1,100 kg
Permissible total weight in kg1,600 kg1,600 kg
x-bus electric van as campervan

Via The Driven.

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