By Emma Dodd
It’s already been established that demand for campervans has been soaring in the time of coronavirus, but it’s not just the number of trips, it’s the length of those getaways that has increased too.
Online bookings for campervan rentals of four weeks or more were up by 225 per cent between June and August this year, when compared to 2019.
That is according to Indie Campers, a rental company with a 1,250-strong fleet across 14 countries, including the UK.
In response to the demand for longer trips, the company is now offering monthly and annual subscription plans to make hiring a campervan for longer more achievable.
One of the consequences of the pandemic has been moving away from traditional rules surrounding work, with many people finding their working arrangements are now more flexible.
That means heading off in a campervan, perhaps with the family or a partner, is a much more achievable aim for many.
Indie Campers is aiming to take out the hassle and large amounts of investment usually associated with procuring and maintaining a campervan for long-term use.
The number of requests for campervans to be used as workspaces by digital nomads was up by 66 per cent between July and September 2020, in comparison to a year previously.
Pernille Hembre, market representative for Indie Campers in the UK, said: “As the car subscription market is growing in the UK, we are proud to be the first company to exclusively offer tailored campervan subscriptions.
“Thereby allowing people to have the full experience of living in a campervan without the associated costs and responsibilities, whether they want to test the van life or as a more flexible alternative to owning.”
Potential customers can test drive vans at one of Indie Campers’ depots, with locations in the likes of London and Edinburgh, before driving away in one of nine models.
The subscription will then include vehicle insurance, roadside assistance, regular maintenance and customer support.
They can decide whether to hire the van for anything from a month to 11 months, with prices depending on the duration.
