Paul & Jane electric campervan Spoot: success story

As great lovers of nature, at Camplify we believe in responsible camping and taking care of our environment. That’s why we are very happy to speak with Paul and Jane**, owners of Spoot, the first fully electric campervan for hire on Camplify.**

Tell us more about Spoot and why you’re passionate about electric camper vans?

Spoot is Scotland's first and only all-electric campervan for rent. Our company takes great pride in providing hospitality of the highest quality. Our choice to use electric vehicles was an easy one, no nasty fumes and easy on the ears.

For those owners interested in electric vans, what would be the main advantages and disadvantages?

The biggest advantage to electric vans is they are so much nicer to drive and much quieter. The downside is the current availability, but this is changing all the time with new vehicles coming to market.

You must have had to study the market. How much do electric vans cost?

We were fortunate to find a prototype of Spoot at a campervan dealership (Hillside Leisure) where we used to live. The prices are changing all the time, but you're looking around £40-50k for a new one

Many people are unaware of the driving range of an electric van on one full charge. How is it with Spoot?

The range on Spoot is around 120 miles, but this does depend on driving style and weather conditions. As our hirers are primarily using Spoot for their stay in Orkney this range is ideal

Does your van feature any additional low-waste features or do you have any advice for your hirers on how to leave no trace?

Spoot also has a solar panel on the roof that contributes to powering the leisure battery. It also has a modification that allows you to charge the vehicle from a traditional campsite connector. If you stay at a site that runs off renewable energy (Wheems in Orkney does) then you really are watching your footprint.

How much does it cost to maintain an electric van?

Maintenance costs are a lot lower than a traditional diesel/petrol motorhome. There are less moving parts than in a combustion engine, so you don't have the costs associated with that.

The main service cost is on tyres, but this is not much different than a traditional vehicle. The biggest saving is on fuel. It costs around a quarter of the price to refuel Spoot vs a traditional option.

Why did you decide to begin your hiring journey with Camplify, and how’s it going?

We chose Camplify because Ann was so nice to deal with. We started our journey together just before lockdown, so it's a bit hard to judge fairly but so far we have been really impressed with the professionalism and level of contact and support provided.

Does your van feature any additional low-waste features or do you have any advice for your hirers on how to leave no trace?

We offer our guests the option to bring back any litter at the end of their journey and we will make sure it's properly recycled or disposed of.

What are your top 3-5 campsites adapted for electric vans, and why?

Campsites don't need to be adapted for electric vehicles. All vehicles can take a charge from a 3-pin plug, so you can always charge at a site with the right adaptors.

Alternatively, drive to a rapid charger. On that basis, the three sites in Orkney that I would choose would be Wheems, Birsay campsite and Eviedale campsite.

What would be your UK travel bucket list for an electric van, and why?

We love the UK as a travel destination and any location would be ideal to visit. The beauty of travelling in Spoot is that it's such a pleasure to drive and because it's so compact it can go on all ferries in the same category as a car, so you can get around nearly all the UK.

Top 3 essential packing items when road tripping in an electric van

We include all the things you need to travel in an electric vehicle. The main thing is a ChargePlace Scotland charge card. This will allow you to use the charging stations found easily all around Orkney and indeed Scotland. The charge card we provide is included in the hire price so you don't have any expensive refuelling bills at the end of your stay.

Tell us more about your business

Spoot fits in well with our whole business. We also have a second ENV200 (Spoot is a converted ENV200) which we use to take people out on private tours of Orkney. It makes an excellent tour vehicle because it's so quiet you can hear what the guide is saying or just to enjoy the scenery in peace.

JP Orkney is also a food producer. This was born out of us providing food and drink tours of Orkney. Today we produce over 14 different products that we sell all around the UK.

The products fit within our sustainable model using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Also, all our packaging is either recycled, recyclable or even compostable.

Learn about the latest Spoot news and stories

• Instagram (@JP_Orkney)

• Facebook (@JPOrkneyholidays)

• Twitter (@JP_Orkney)

Earn extra income from your van by joining the Camplify community of owners

Over the last years, Camplify has become the largest platform for renting motorhomes, campervans and caravans in Australia, New Zealand Spain and the United Kingdom, with more than 4,000 vans worldwide and growing.

We connect owners like you with local and international tourists all of whom are verified to maximize the safety when you hire out your camper van or motorhome. Find out our advantages for owners:

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If you still have questions, want to discuss your income potential with an expert or get more information on how to list your vehicle, call us on ☎ 0330 808 1811 or visit our owner's section. We will be happy to help you with everything you need.