VanLife Weekly #14: Motorhome & Campervan News, March 30–April 5, 2026

The Kyushu Tourism Activation Consortium, together with the Saga International Balloon Fiesta organizing committee, will conduct a demonstration in 2026 allowing overnight stays in vehicles within the event venue. This year, in partnership with Venus Travel, a limited travel package combining ferry travel, car touring, and on-site vehicle overnight stays will be offered starting August 2026. The initiative aims to test whether such stays can be integrated into a broader travel product that attracts visitors from distant regions and encourages regional exploration. In 2025, 329 applications were received for 50 spots, indicating strong demand.

In March 2026, Ruisheng launched the Wangpai M7 motorhome priced at 89,800 yuan, featuring factory 3C certification and drivable with a C1 license. The hybrid SUV Benteng Yueyi 07 (from 99,800 yuan) offers external power supply and light off-road capability. Used Audi A3L (from 99,000 yuan) and A5 are unsuitable for camping due to limited trunk space and lack of external power.

A Tesla Model Y owner completed a roughly 250-mile trip to the Norfolk Broads in England while towing a Swift six-berth caravan, documenting the journey on YouTube. The vehicle required at least two charging stops, arriving at a hotel charger in King's Lynn with only 3% battery remaining. The trip highlights the reduced efficiency of EVs when towing heavy loads, emphasizing the need for careful route planning and charging management.

Kumamoto Prefecture has launched a telephone consultation service for evacuees living in vehicles after the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake. The hotline operates daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., staffed by nurses. The aim is to prevent deep vein thrombosis (economy class syndrome) and to better understand the situation of vehicle-dwelling evacuees. The prefecture is also distributing leaflets with hotline numbers and nighttime medical facilities through police officers patrolling affected areas.

The Dupont family from Hensies, Belgium, completed a year-long caravan journey across Europe, covering 36,421 km in 371 days and visiting 20 countries. The children have returned to school: two daughters passed their CEB exams, while the older sons partially passed CE1D and CE2D exams and must retake some subjects. The parents noted that homeschooling was challenging and advise notifying schools and authorities in advance about such projects.

Ronan, a 30-year-old French web developer, sold his house in 2021 for 112,000 euros and bought a used 2005 motorhome for 22,000 euros, spending an additional 800 euros on modifications. Since April 2022, he has been traveling across Europe while working remotely, saving 300–400 euros per month. His expenses include fuel (about 200 euros per month) and campsites (5–20 euros per day).