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Great news for the motorhome market came this month as the Government announced changes to its EV mandate, which has been causing so much uncertainty in the wider motor industry. We now know that diesel (and petrol) vans, as well as campervans and motorhomes, can still be sold new in the UK until 2035. Whether that date will shift again, and who will be in No 10 by then, would need a crystal ball to ascertain, but it gives clarity to our industry for the next decade. There are still no realistic electric base vehicles on the horizon for larger motorhomes, and seemingly almost zero demand for EV campervans, but the announcement of a hybrid version of the Volkswagen California is an interesting development. We’ll be fascinated to see how…
Changes to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate have been announced this month. The Government confirmed its commitment to the phasing out of the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2030 (a date that had previously been changed to 2035 by the Conservative administration), but there have been some concessions, including ones that are very significant for the campervan and motorhome industry. Firstly, hybrid vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, can now be sold post-2030, up to 2035. More importantly, however, internal combustion engine vans (petrol or diesel, without any hybrid/electric element) can now also continue to be sold until 2035. Furthermore, all micro vehicle manufacturers, small vehicle manufacturers, special purpose and kit vehicles are exempt from the requirement to end the sale of pure ICE cars by…
Stellantis has announced updates to its light commercial vehicle (LCV) range, affecting the Citroën Relay, Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Vauxhall Movano vans. In preparation for the new emissions legislation set to take effect on 1 January, 2026, Stellantis has updated its 2.2-litre diesel engines to comply with the stricter requirements ahead of schedule. The 7in infotainment touchscreen will also become an optional extra for all diesel variants, as already seen on the electric models. Available for £400 (excluding VAT), this optional extra replaces the standard 5in display screen and can connect to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.…
Honda has revealed a camper car concept inspired by Japan’s capsule hotels, based on its first plug-in hybrid model for Europe. It features cooking facilities and a washbasin, plus sleeping space for two people and was built using specialist camping equipment, genuine Honda accessories and some bespoke features. Although the Dream Pod is only a concept, you can buy individual components to build your own version. Based on Honda’s CR-V ePHEV, a plug-in hybrid which offers 49 miles of EV range, the Dream Pod was designed to celebrate 30 years of the CR-V. The original CR-V – Compact Runabout Vehicle – was launched in 1995 and it’s now in its sixth generation. At the heart of the Dream Pod transformation is the Egoé Nestboard 650, a compact in-car camping solution…
Order books are now open for the eHybrid version of the new VW California, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ first-ever plug-in hybrid campervan. Prices start at £71,295 for the California Beach Camper eHybrid, £78,495 for the California Coast trim, and £85,395 for the top-spec California Ocean. Finance packages start from £739 per month on 0% APR with hire purchase. Continuing Volkswagen’s long history in the campervan world as the California enters the electric era, the new eHybrid versions come with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Featuring a combined output of 245hp (more than the diesel or pure petrol versions), the new powertrain option combines an electric motor with a high-tech 1.5 TSI petrol engine. For everyday motoring, the 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery delivers a WLTP range of 54 miles of pure electric range, while towing…
WATCH THE VIDEO motorhome.ma/review340 THE Volkswagen California has been around since 1988, originally built by Westfalia on the T3 and then T4 generations of the Transporter. VW took both its design and build in-house in 2004 with the launch of the T5 Cali, the first one to come here as an official right-hand drive import. Later T6 and T6.1 versions required only the most minor updates to the habitation aspects as sales soared – the Cali has been a huge success story, with 200,000 vehicles sold in less than 20 years, making it the best-selling campervan in Europe. With the end of T6.1 Transporter production, however, an all-new model was required. Rumours of an all-electric, retro-styled ID Buzz California have so far come to nought and, equally, VW shows no sign…
