Bailey, one of the biggest manufacturers of leisure vehicles in the UK, has built a reputation for itself designing and building exceptional caravans and larger motorhomes. Now, the company is using its more than seven decades of experience to envision the future of leisure vehicle design by unveiling the Endeavour EV, an all-electric camper van concept that pushes the boundaries of innovation and sustainability.
The Endeavour EV is the British brand's first foray into the panel van conversion market and was unveiled alongside a conventionally powered model, the Endeavour, at the recent NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show, which took place between October 17 and 22.
To set things clear from the get-go, we should mention that while the standard version of the Endeavour is already available for purchase, the Endeavour EV is just a concept at this stage and is not intended to go into production, but it does show what will become mainstream in a few years from now.
Bailey intends to achieve net zero by 2050, and to reach this goal, it is focusing on developing more environmentally friendly leisure vehicles. With designs such as the Endeavour EV, the company is making considerable progress towards reducing its carbon footprint.
The Endeavour EV van conversion is an experiment in next-generation sustainability and product development and represents a significant step in expanding Bailey's motorhome offering. It was developed in partnership with Ford Pro, so it is based upon the all-electric E-Transit platform.
Photo: Bailey of Bristol
Designed with sustainability in mind, this concept camper van is a true fossil-fuel-free leisure vehicle, with all the services and appliances used in its construction being fully electric. The interior design also reflects the company's commitment to sustainability and enabling eco-friendly camping with work surfaces, upholstery fabrics, and even fixtures crafted from low-carbon recycled materials.
What's more, to make it stand out of the crowd, the British manufacturer made sure to include some exciting new features that no other leisure vehicle in its range includes, such as a versatile, multipurpose living space that can be adapted to work as a rear lounge, office, or bedroom area, a voice-controlled lighting system, a touchscreen command center, and an electric-lift hideaway TV that disappears when not in use.
The ICE-powered Endeavor production van revealed by Bailey at NEC is an impressive build in itself. Based on the Ford Transit, the camper is available in two floor plans: the "B62" fixed-roof version that comes with a rear sofa lounge and can sleep two individuals and the pop-up "B64" that accommodates four and has a vis-a-vis rear bathroom and kitchen.
In addition, this standard version of the Endeavour already incorporates elements that showcase Bailey's drive towards full sustainability, such as a flexible Truma 100-watt solar panel and a 92 Ah leisure battery for authentic off-grid holidays.
Photo: Bailey of Bristol
While Bailey could have just replaced the base platform for the Ford E-Transit and used one of the above floor plans, the company chose to develop a completely new product with a thoughtfully designed interior for adaptable and stylish mobile living wherever your adventures take you.
Inside the van, the company created a versatile space that can transform and adapt to the way you use it depending on the time of day or your needs. It features a kitchenette and a bathroom facing each other towards the center of the vehicle and a modular seating system at the back that creates three different layouts: Day Mode, Office or Eating Mode, and Night Mode.
The Day Mode configuration includes a sidewall sofa facing a long cabinet/drawer storage console and the power-retractable TV that descends from the overhead cabinet. This configuration allows access in and out of the van through both the passenger-side door and the rear door.
The Office Mode adapts to the remote-work requirements of the modern world with an L-shaped sofa and a removable table that can be used for both eating and working. In the Night Mode, the modular seating system can be arranged to create a generous double bed.
Photo: Bailey of Bristol
In the kitchen, the company removed the LPG appliances and replaced them with all-electric alternatives, including an induction cooktop and microwave oven. More impressively, the kitchen worktop is made of a material called "Polygood." As the company explains, this is a surface material made using old kitchen appliances. What's more, the cabinet handles throughout the van are made of reused ocean plastic, the upholstery is made using recycled polyester, and the flooring is pure cork.
The wet bathroom inside Endeavour EV is another innovative feature introduced by the company. It has a space-optimizing roller door with a concave shape when not in use. Said door shifts to a convex orientation to expand the bathroom floor space when you need to use the facilities.
The Endeavour EV camper concept also stands out through the mobile smart home technology it incorporates. A large tablet-style touchscreen command center is mounted on the kitchen wall and allows campers to control and monitor onboard electronics and settings. An Amazon Alexa speaker is also incorporated into the design and can be used to control the lighting system and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth audio via voice commands.
As mentioned, Bailey has no immediate plans to turn the Endeavour EV camper van concept into a production van, but it will surely serve as an early blueprint in its journey toward a more sustainable motorhome lineup. It shows what the company envisions the future of eco-camping would look like, where outdoor enthusiasts get to enjoy nature without harming it.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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