is a deputy editor and Verge co-founder with a passion for human-centric cities, e-bikes, and life as a digital nomad. He’s been a tech journalist for 20 years.
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Last year I did the thing I’d been dreaming about for a decade: I bought a van. After twenty years of tech journalism, creating a mobile test platform for remote work was just as exciting as having an adventure vehicle to pursue my outdoor hobbies. For that I’d need lots of battery capacity to power it all.
Originally I wanted to buy an EV to use as a giant rolling power plant for all the gadgets I own and get to play with as a product reviewer. Unfortunately, the charging infrastructure isn’t quite ready in the far-flung destinations where I travel, and there isn’t a good plug-in hybrid in my preferred vehicle class. So, instead I opted for a Sprinter cargo van with a fill-it-and-repair-it-anywhere diesel engine, fitted with an extra large gas tank that also fuels my cabin heater.
Like most vanlifers, I won’t be living in my van year-round so it’d be silly to spend a ton of money on a power system that’s permanently installed. I want to take those expensive batteries anywhere I might need them, including my home for use in a blackout or to offset my daily energy costs. That way I can maximize the return on my money.
So, I came up with a hybrid solution that lets me easily plug portable power stations into the van to power my integrated lighting, fan, and water pump, with USB-C jacks, AC wall outlets, and 12V sockets installed exactly where I need them. I can also quickly recharge it come rain or shine, when parked at a campsite or an EV charging station. Hell, I can even turn on the charm and carry that big-ass battery into a cafe to charge when left with no other options.
Verge readers have repeatedly asked me about my setup, which I now feel confident in sharing after a few iterations, 10,000 miles, and months of real-world testing. Community is a big part of vanlife as well as The Verge and this is my chance to give back a little for ya’ll to copy, refine, and tweak as needed.
A typical selection of Victron Energy components needed for vanlife. Selecting and installing the correct components usually requires professional help. And here’s what a bespoke installation looks like after wiring everything together. It would then be hidden inside cabinets.
Victron Energy
My wife and I like to take our dog far from civilization for weeks at a time, so we need a system that can be easily and quickly charged no matter what; when parked in vineyard, farm, or campsite or when driving deep down a fire road or remote beach. We still have to log in to our 9-to-5 jobs Monday through Friday and our kitchen is powered by electricity, not gas.
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