From pickup to camper: solid walls, slide-outs and space for four

Data from Guosen Securities shows that in the first week of summer vacation, revenue per available room in economy hotels in China fell 8.2% year-on-year, and in mid-scale hotels by 7.8%. Average hotel occupancy from July 6 to 12 was 62.3%, down 3 percentage points from a year earlier. The trend is attributed to the growing practice of sleeping in electric vehicles, which eliminates accommodation costs thanks to widespread charging infrastructure. Views of related videos on Chinese platforms exceeded 9.8 billion, and posts about overnight stays in EVs on Xiaohongshu surged 500% year-on-year.

On June 23, 2026, China's Ministry of Commerce and other agencies announced a list of 40 pilot cities for automobile market reform, including Yangzhou with a focus on motorhomes and camping. Almost simultaneously, nine ministries issued 17 measures to develop the automotive aftermarket, including legalizing modifications, motorhome rental, and campsite construction. In 2025, motorhome sales in China exceeded 20,000 units for the first time, and sales of new energy motorhomes grew by 261.2% compared to 2024. The market is expected to grow by 15–20% in 2026.

Lanzhou, selected as a pilot city for auto market reform, is developing motorhome infrastructure. The city has campsites with full amenities, including free water, charging stations, and showers. Parking costs up to 13 yuan per day, charging 0.5 yuan per kWh. Motorhome rental is also expanding: 60 vehicles at 700–1600 yuan per day.

Tesla Model Y is suitable for camping, with a real-world range efficiency of 63% in the Pearl River Delta test. Camp mode consumes 176 km of range over 12 hours of air conditioning. The trunk volume is 2022 liters, and the Supercharger network includes over 12,000 stations. For better sleep, opt for the long-range version and add underbody protection and window shades.

Farizon has introduced an electric camper van priced at 35,000 euros. The vehicle combines zero emissions, modern technology, and comfort, positioning it as a notable option in the growing electric motorhome market.

A motorhome camping base named Yehua Ping has opened in Badong County, Hubei Province, at an altitude of 1,700 meters. The site offers accommodation in motorhomes with views of clouds, sunsets, and starry skies, positioning itself as a cool highland retreat.