With Their Electric ID. Buzz Camper, Erik and Anke Enjoy the Best of Both Worlds

Erik and Anke live in a beautiful apartment in the heart of Utrecht and love the energy of city life. At the same time, they enjoy spending time in nature and discovering beautiful landscapes. Their Outbase ID. Buzz campervan gives them the best of both worlds.

The camper fits perfectly into their parking space at the apartment. In fact, before buying one, they borrowed an ID. Buzz from PON specifically to check whether it would fit.

Charging

They charge the camper through a standard 220V outlet, using a cable that runs through an opening in the door of their storage room. So, they do not have a home charging station. Instead, they plan their charging sessions around current electricity rates, which helps keep charging costs low.

“Charging from 20% to 80% takes about 30 hours. It’s not fast, but we’re rarely in a hurry,” says Erik.

Camping has always been a common thread throughout their lives. For years, they travelled with a tent because, as they saw it, “going on holiday in a camper isn’t really camping!” Later, they rented campers several times for extended trips across Europe, the United States and Canada. When they started seriously considering buying a camper of their own, one thing was clear: they did not want a diesel.

“Many cities restrict access for diesel vehicles. They’re more polluting and they don’t have a future,” says Anke.

The search for the right campervan

Anke started looking into electric alternatives and soon came across Outbase. They attended a presentation, visited an open day and had several in-depth conversations with Tim.

“We were convinced almost straight away. But we also wanted to make a well-informed decision, so we looked at other options too.”

What attracted them to Outbase was not just the electric drivetrain, but also the design itself. They appreciated the many smart storage solutions, the practical access hatches, and the fact that the conversion is built into a cargo version of the ID. Buzz. This means the interior does not have to be removed first, resulting in far less waste during the conversion process.

“Sustainability is important to us. We already have enough impact on the environment as it is, so we try to do what we can.”

The price gave them pause at first. After all, it is a significant investment. But Erik took a practical approach and ran the numbers. There was no need to pay for camper storage, no need for a second car, no more camper rental costs and far more opportunities to travel whenever they wanted. In the end, that made the decision both logical and financially achievable.

“It turns out it really is camping with the ID. Buzz. You spend plenty of time outdoors, and because it's so easy to hit the road, you have a lot of flexibility.”

Life between city and nature

In everyday life, they rarely use the camper in the city. When they head into Utrecht, they usually go on foot. But whenever they leave the city, the ID. Buzz is their vehicle of choice.

They like to make the most of every opportunity. A dinner with friends in Groningen, for example, can easily turn into a weekend away, complete with a night at a campsite. Last year, they travelled through almost every province in the Netherlands. Their campervan gives them the freedom to discover new places whenever they feel like it.

They rarely stay at dedicated motorhome stopovers, preferring campsites instead, often surrounded by nature. They love exploring by bike and bring their bicycles along on a rear-mounted bike rack. The solar panel provides enough energy to keep the leisure battery charged, so connecting to campsite electricity is usually unnecessary

A personal touch

Erik and Anke sleep on the lower bed, as they find it the most comfortable option. As a result, they decided not to include an upper bed in their camper. What they especially appreciate are the thoughtful details throughout the interior. Erik is particularly enthusiastic about the fold-down luggage racks.

“Those few wooden slats may seem expensive, but we haven’t regretted them for a second. They’re incredibly practical.”

Everything has its own place. Clothes go on the racks, jackets and towels are stored in the side compartments, and food and supplies are neatly tucked away in the floor storage. With a handheld vacuum on board, everything stays nice and tidy.

At first, they thought a toilet simply would not fit in a compact camper like this. But Outbase came up with a clever, space-saving solution that fits perfectly between the front seats. It is a feature they are particularly happy with, especially during the night.

Erik and Anke chose an ID. Buzz in Starlight Blue with a white two-tone finish, paired with grey-blue upholstery inside. If Anke were choosing again, she would add a bit more colour to the interior. She solved that herself with throws and blankets, which give the camper a warmer and more inviting feel.

“We played it a bit safe with the colour. Looking back, it’s actually quite boring. Next time, I’ll go for a red one,” Anke says with a laugh.

Together with others

Erik is actively involved in the Outbase community. One of his initiatives is The Outbase Nomads, a group where Outbase owners share tips, experiences and practical solutions with one another.

“Outbase owners are really becoming a community. Everyone runs into the same issues at first, and useful solutions are there to be shared,” says Erik.

Freedom on their therms

With their Outbase ID. Buzz, Erik and Anke have found a way of travelling that fits their lifestyle perfectly: sustainable, flexible and full of freedom. It gives them the ideal balance between the energy of the city and the peace of nature, exactly as they envisioned it.

“Soon, we’ll be driving to a wedding in Barcelona. Our ID. Buzz campervan has everything we need... and there’s still plenty of room for a few boxes of Spanish wine!”

Come and see it for yourself

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