This Is Beluga, a Tesla Model X Turned Into the "Perfect" Mobile Home

Whether the transition to a nomadic lifestyle happens on considerations of earning an income by capitalizing on the whole #vanlife frenzy, the search for affordable housing, or concern for the environment, it always requires serious thought, which, in turn, leads to very creative solutions.

The digital nomads of today are like the hippies of yesteryear, living in defiance of societal pressures, part of a wandering community without borders, brought together by the power of the Internet. Most make a living off their unique lifestyle choices and travels, thanks to social media. Others do that and also seek to inspire or, at the very least, shed some light on what is, without a doubt, the most interesting trend of recent years.

Sandro van Kuijck is all these things. In a way, he's also one of the few digital nomads seemingly determined to show that there is an even better alternative to vanlife. It's not tiny living, and it's not any other form of alternative housing.

We could call it "Tesla life," where the owner of one such EV also uses it as their permanent home and, in Sandro's case, a "tool" he uses to travel across the country and make a living off of.

Sandro is a 25-year-old digital creator originally from The Netherlands who has been living in the U.S. for years. For the past year, he's been living in his 2020 Long Range Tesla Model X, fitted with a DIY kitchen and bedroom and extra safety measures so as to become a permanent mobile home that he's traveled already with all the way to Alaska.

Sandro calls it Beluga, after the famous white whale, and, we assume, because it feels positively huge after he lived temporarily out of a cramped Model 3. Beluga is not his first attempt at "Tesla life," but from what he's been saying in various interviews and on his own social media, it's his most successful. To him, it's the perfect mobile home.

The fact that he's seen 48 of 50 States in Beluga is proof of that, as is his recent drive from Portland, OR, to Anchorage, Alaska, the longest trip he's undertaken so far. The latter is also what brought him international media coverage and, with it, confirmation that what he's been saying is true: if you're going to live out of your car, a Tesla is a stealthier, cheaper, and better choice than a van.

Beluga is simultaneously a means of transport, a home, and a tool to earn a living for Sandro because he's been documenting his adventures online. Making it suitable for living cost him some $1,200, including a modular DIY piece that hides his kitchen and pantry and the folding bed next to it.

Beluga doesn't have a bathroom, but Sandro says that it's one of the modern creature comforts you can do without because there's always a Starbucks around. He doesn't get into the specifics of daily hygiene, but it's not rare even for vanlifers to rely on Planet Fitness memberships for the daily shower and toilet use.

The kitchen features a Dometic water dispenser, a Duxtop induction stove, and a fridge in the back, all powered by a 1kWh Ecoflow Delta 2 battery pack. Sandro also has a tea kettle and a blender and has developed a habit of cooking all his meals early in the morning, so he can do it with the doors wide open without attracting too much attention. It helps that his diet is plant-based.

Not attracting attention is paramount and perhaps the most challenging part of using Beluga as his home. To be more stealthy, Sandro is relying on privacy curtains and timing his Supercharger stays with his sleeping wherever possible so that people will think the vehicle is empty.

Camping mode, free charging, free parking, and very low living costs while traveling are just some of the perks of turning a Tesla into a home on wheels, Sandro says. If you add the invaluable experiences on the road and the many like-minded people you get to meet, it becomes clear why so many people from all over the world are embracing the nomad life.

Sandro is a minimalist, which goes hand in hand with his downsized home. One could even make an argument that minimalism is the prerequisite to the transition to digital nomadism.

It's not all sunshine and roses, though, and Sandro always makes sure to underline that. There are many risks and many downsides to living out of your car, so due consideration and research are a must. This kind of life is not for everyone, so it's best if you step into it well aware that it might not be a right fit for you.

This is about 90% of everything I own!

Why I became a minimalist? ????

There are several reasons why someone might choose to become a minimalist:

1. Simplify life: Minimalism helps to declutter and simplify your physical and mental space. By reducing the number of possessions… pic.twitter.com/ADoYfzd1vd

— Sandro van Kuijck (@Everydaysandro) October 23, 2023