Mercedes-Benz turned its fully electric van into a $75,600 camper RV with a pop-up roof — see inside

The Mercedes-Benz EQV with a pop-top roof and the side passenger door open. The van is next to a body of water and bridge surrounded by trees, nature. — The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Daimler

Mercedes-Benz Switzerland and a Swiss vehicle outfitter have turned an electric van into a camper.
An EQV van with the full conversion — a bed, kitchen, and pop-top roof — starts at around $75,600.
Mercedes-Benz says the future of the motorhome market will be electric.

Environmentally conscious RVers finally have the camper van of their dreams and the future: Mercedes-Benz has turned its electric EQV van into a tiny home on wheels.

The Mercedes-Benz EQV driving down a road in a flat field. — The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Sara Keller Photography, Sortimo

The electric RV market has yet to see an influx of outstanding contenders from recognizable brands.

The Mercedes-Benz EQV outside a Sortimo facility. — The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Sara Keller Photography, Sortimo

But now, Mercedes-Benz is testing the space with the help of Swiss vehicle outfitter Sortimo.

The trunk of the EQV open revealing a mini kitchen. The van is parked among trees. — The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Daimler

Together, the team has turned the automaker's electric EQV van into a tiny home on wheels with a bed, kitchen, and pop-top roof.

Mercedes-Benz EQV by the water near trees. — The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Sara Keller Photography, Sortimo

"The future is electric, also in the motorhome industry," Klaus Rehkugler, head of sales and marketing at Mercedes‑Benz Vans, said in a press release.

A close up of the Mercedes-Benz EQV being charged. — An EQV being charged.
Daimler

Source: Daimler

The automaker already has a strong hold in the camper van industry.

The Airstream 2022 Interstate 24X Touring Coach driving down a road — The Airstream 2022 Interstate 24X Touring Coach.
Airstream

Mercedes-Benz's Sprinter van has been a favorite among do-it-yourself camper van converters and van conversion companies, along with the Ford Transit and Ram Promaster.

Sabrina Mazzotta and Nick Bollen's Mercedes Sprinter van purchased in 2020.
Sabrina Mazzotta (@livingonbreeze).

And Mercedes-Benz already has its own camper van: the Marco Polo.

Mercedes-Benz's Marco Polo camper van RV with a pop-top roof sitting on a grassy patch in front of a tree. There's a bench with a bicycle near the van. — Mercedes-Benz's Marco Polo.
Daimler

Source: Insider

But now, it's looking to carve out a new, electrified market for life on the road.

The Mercedes-Benz EQV driving through a grassy field. — The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Daimler

The EQV 300 has a range of about 203 to 226 miles, while the EQV 250 can run between 132 to 147 miles, making the van and its new conversion concept a contender for short camping excursions.

Source: Daimler

Sortimo created the concept with Mercedes-Benz Switzerland, Roger Mosimann, Sortimo's marketing specialist, told Insider in an email.

For now, the conversion is only available via Sortimo Switzerland.

The Mercedes-Benz EQV with a pop-top roof next to a body of water surrounded by trees, nature. — The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Daimler

The outfitter just completed a second prototype for Mercedes-Benz Germany, and it's now working on a third for a customer.

The trunk of the EQV open, revealing a mini kitchen. The van is parked next to an outdoor dining set. — Inside the Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Sara Keller Photography, Sortimo

The modular conversion doesn't turn the EQV into a massive RV, but it still provides two major "rooms": a bed and a kitchen with luggage storage.

Inside the Mercedes-Benz EQV with cabinets and a bed on top near the pop-top roof of the van. — Inside the Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Sara Keller Photography, Sortimo

Source: Daimler

The kitchen — which extends out the rear of the van — has a sink, a two-burner gas stove, a refrigerator, and drawers for utensil and cutlery storage.

You'll have to eat where you sleep in the EQV: The foldable bed sits above the kitchen unit.

A bed with a blanket, pillows under the pop-top roof. — Mercedes-Benz's EQV with Sortimo's camping conversions.
Daimler

The conversion also has amenities like USB ports, additional lighting, driver and passenger seats that can swivel, and rear windows that've been darkened for more privacy.

A light inside the van while the seats are all down. — The Mercedes-Benz EQV and Sortimo conversion concept.
Sara Keller Photography, Sortimo

And Sortimo can install two solar panels to help power these add-ons.

At an additional cost, the conversion can also come with a pop-up roof, extending the height of the camper.

The EQV in Germany starts at around $64,800.

Sortimo's camper conversion with or without the pop-top roof starts at about $10,800 and $5,180, respectively, Diana Boch, a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Vans, told Insider.

Combined, the full EQV camper conversion with a bed, kitchen, and pop-top roof has a price tag of about $75,600, which is cheaper than the over $200,000 Sprinter camper vans from RV makers like Airstream and Jayco.