Electric, diesel or petrol campervan?

20 May 2025

Dreaming of hitting the open road in your very own campervan? Whether you're planning weekend escapes, long summer tours, or a full-time van life adventure, the type of engine powering your home on wheels is an important decision. Do you go for a trusty diesel campervan, a clean and green electric campervan, or a simple petrol campervan?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each, compare popular models, and answer the most frequently asked questions.

The basics: What’s the difference?

Before getting into specific models, it’s important to understand the differences between the three main types of campervans: electric, diesel, and petrol. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks depending on how, where, and how often you plan to travel.

Electric Campervan

Electric campervan

Electric campervans are powered entirely by rechargeable batteries. This means there are no emissions and no stops at petrol stations. Instead, you’ll be charging up via electric vehicle (EV) chargers, either at home, campsites, or public charging networks.

As the UK shifts towards net-zero emissions, electric campervans are becoming more and more popular, especially for those who do shorter road trips or mostly travel in urban areas. The expansion of charging points across the UK, including many National Trust and campsites has made electric campervans more practical than ever.

You’ll enjoy a smoother, quieter driving experience, lower maintenance (no oil changes or exhausts to worry about), and exemption from ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) charges in cities like London. But battery range can be a drawback, especially in rural or remote areas where chargers are less common.

Charging also takes longer than filling up with fuel, so you’ll need to build charging stops into your route planning, which is especially important for longer trips. But, with ranges now getting up to 250+ miles on a full charge (for example the VW ID. Buzz), electric campervans are closing the gap fast.

In short, they’re great for the environment and city travel but you’ll need to be a bit more forward planning with your route.

Diesel Campervan

Diesel campervan

Diesel has been the go-to for campervans for a long time, and for good reason. Diesel engines are built for torque, which gives you the power you need for climbing hills, towing gear, or carrying fully-kitted conversions. They also tend to have the best fuel economy for long-distance travel, with some models achieving over 600 miles on a single tank.

Diesel engines are robust, and parts are easy to find. That’s why you’ll see so many iconic models like the VW Transporter, Fiat Ducato, or Mercedes Sprinter still powered by diesel.

However, times are changing. Diesel vehicles are now under scrutiny due to emissions, with many UK cities introducing clean air zones that charge or restrict access for older diesel models. Diesel is also being phased out for new vehicle sales by 2035 in the UK.

For now, diesel campervans remain a strong choice for full-time campervan adventurers heading to the mountains, or anyone needing the large range, power, and flexibility that diesel offers.

In short, they are powerful and practical for long hauls and heavy builds but watch out for future emissions rules.

Petrol Campervan

Petrol campervan

Petrol campervans are less common, especially in larger models, but they still have a place in the market, particularly for smaller, more compact conversions. They’re usually cheaper to buy than diesel or electric options and are often found in smaller campervan conversions like the Toyota Proace City.

Petrol engines are also quieter than diesel, start more easily in cold weather, and produce fewer NOx emissions (though CO2 is generally higher). Maintenance tends to be simpler and more affordable, which makes petrol a good choice for casual weekenders who don’t rack up serious mileage.

On the downside, petrol vans aren’t as fuel-efficient as diesels, and there aren’t as many petrol vans to convert. They also have lower resale value.

If you’re just dipping your toe into campervans or want an easy-to-run small camper for the odd weekend away, a petrol campervan can be a great budget-friendly choice.

In short, petrol campervans are simple and cost-effective for light travellers but not as efficient and available to buy.