Less than a month from now, Mercedes-Benz will reveal the Concept EQT Marco Polo. The new “close-series concept” is an electric camper van that takes advantage of the EV platform’s compact exterior and spacious interior. This is our first look at the fully equipped micro camper which is “expected to celebrate its debut in the second half of 2023,” Mercedes said.
The EV’s van and powertrain packaging helps with its versatility. The underbody battery allows the EQT to offer nearly the same interior practicality as the ICE-powered T-Class. According to the company, the van will provide two camping solutions. Key to its versatility is the removable kitchen and sleeping unit, allowing passengers to quickly and easily remove camping gear in just a few steps.
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This setup should be very similar to the Marco Polo upfit unit that Mercedes unveiled earlier this year for the T-Class. It is available in two configurations. The standard unit has a bed for two with a four-inch-thick mattress. Upgraded upfits include a kitchen unit with sink, fridge box and gas hob. It also comes with two camping chairs and a small indoor-outdoor table, which serve as a solid base for many outdoor activities.
Mercedes isn’t the only automaker planning to turn its electric van into a camping car. Late last year, Volkswagen announced that it would be building ID. California, an identity. Buzz based camper van. Specific details remain a mystery, but the automaker revealed that they will be building a camper at its Hanover plant. It will arrive sometime after 2025, a few years after the electric Marco Polo upgrade hits the market, and it could be a pretty big contender.
Mercedes will debut the Concept ET Marco Polo on Friday, December 2, at 2pm CET (9am EST). Camper vans and other mobile living solutions have grown in popularity over the years. Offering upgrades and other optional equipment to turn its electric van into a competent micro-camper seems like a no-brainer for the automaker. The Marco Polo T-Class Upfit launches in the second half of next year alongside the EQT upgrade.
