Campervan manufacturer Camperking is preparing to embark on an ambitious expedition to traverse Scotland’s North Coast 500 (NC500) route completely off-grid – while also acting responsibly.
The NC500 is one of the best road trips in the UK, allowing ‘van owners take in stunning scenery as they explore.
The Oxfordshire firm has teamed up with power company Renogy for the “Freedom 500” expedition, which is designed to prove the real-world capability of its new Freedom campervan, and to act as a live proof of concept to show how true off-grid campervanning can be achieved without compromising comfort or reliability.
A Renogy power system, comprising a battery, inverter and some campervan solar panels will be included in the ‘van and has been engineered to give it complete energy independence.
Throughout the journey, the Camperking team will track and record daily energy use, battery performance and system efficiency, to build a picture of how the campervan performs across various terrains and conditions. It is hoped this will offer valuable insight for future customers.
Camperking group marketing manager Stuart Kidman said, “Freedom 500 is about putting our vision to the test in the real world. By partnering with Renogy, we’ve created a system that’s designed to deliver genuine off-grid capability – and the NC500 is the perfect environment to validate that.”
Both Camperking and Renogy say they are committed to responsible campervan travel, so they are working to ensure the journey supports the long-term sustainability of the route. They have both signed the North Coast Pledge, set up 18 months ago by the company that markets the route. This commits them to respect the environment, support local communities, engage with the community and promote responsible tourism.
They will also follow NC500 guidance on appropriate overnight stays, and use the Highland Council’s approved stopover scheme (which has not always gone down well with local caravan park owners) where possible.
Stuart added, “As more people discover the NC500, it’s vital that we promote a responsible approach to exploring it. Freedom isn’t just about going off-grid – it’s about doing so in a way that respects the places and communities that make journeys like this possible.”
Updates about the expedition will be shared on its website.
In other recent news, free overnight stays have been authorised at two wine superstores in Calais, with the two car parks both conveniently situated for both the Eurotunnel and ferry.
Images: Camperking
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