In May, RedSands Campers and Roev signed of a MOU to jointly develop Australia’s first fully electrified 4WD Camper for the recreational hire market. It’s anticipated that the first RedSands electrified 4WD will be available for hire from July 2024.
As experts in the 4WD and campervan hire market in the tourism sector, RedSands will be working closely with Roev to supply data and specifications of the RedSands fleet, which will enable Roev to customise a fit for purpose electrification solution.
RedSands have over the years, invested in customisation of their fleet to ensure a premium product offering for their clients. This MOU further demonstrates the company’s commitment to continuously improving its product offering.
Adam Sands, RedSands Campers Managing Director, said he was delighted to announce the signing of the MOU.
“This is an incredibly exciting development and milestone for our Group, as we embark on a strategy to de-carbonise our business and demonstrate offroad travel in an EV is not only possible, but a desirable mode of transport. As personal EV ownership around the world accelerates, so will the desire for people to travel and holiday in a sustainable way, in iconic self-drive destinations, such as Australia.”
Mr Sands added “Partnering with Roev, we see huge benefits with not just the recreational hire market, but to dispel myths around the requirement for Internal Combustion Engines to be the only way that more remote locations can be explored. We are also delighted to announce the partnership with G’Day Group on their commitment to install charging infrastructure and bespoke campsites at some of their iconic East Kimberley properties, such as Lake Argyle Resort and El Questro Station as a part of this project.
RedSands’ electrified 4WDs will not only reduce emissions, they have the added benefit of enabling clients to save money on fuel. There will also be the added benefit of being able to cook with electricity, removing the hassle of gas bottles. “It will be the new age of remote camping. It brings about so many possibilities.”
RedSands believes that all businesses, big and small, have a responsibility to reduce their emissions and work towards a global reduction of emissions by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement goals. “We have been waiting years for a commercially available, robust EV 4WD product in Australia. We are lagging. Sometimes you just need to be the front runner and prove it can work”.
Noah Wasmer, Roev CEO, added “Roev is on a mission to massively reduce harmful emissions by converting ICE vehicles to electric and we’re thrilled to be working with RedSands to bring this innovative 4WD camper to the market.”
Mr Wasmer further commented “electrifying 4WD campers will prove the performance of light commercial EV’s and advance market acceptance of electric conversions as a reliable, safe, capable, and accessible way to transition to lower emissions transport. Not only that – we’re going to enhance the 4WD camper experience with vehicles that are joyful to drive and loaded with smart V2X solutions”.
G’day Group Chief Executive Officer Grant Wilckens, who is also Chair of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, said that it was vital to support the electrification of the drive market with national infrastructure that ensures consumers can travel across the country in EVs with confidence.
“As an industry and tourism operators, we have a responsibility to work with manufacturers to support continued uptake of EVs, which will play a key role in Australia’s ongoing transition to a low carbon economy,” he said.
“We are proud to be supporting this landmark MOU between RedSands Campers and ROEV with a commitment to install charging infrastructure at several of our iconic Kimberley properties. This will support the WA Government’s plan to create an electrified highway from the South Australian border to Kununurra and help to unlock Australia’s northwest for the EV market.”
