Road tripping in Volkswagen’s modern version of the iconic ‘hippie’ motorhome during a summer holiday

Everyone seems to stare. I’m at the wheel of a brand new vacation vehicle that puts me in the center of attention as I head for the coast.

I’m the first journalist to try out the UK’s only all-electric version of the classic VW campervan – a conversion of the VW ID Buzz.

The hip design and yellow and white paintwork make strangers point out when we pass by. At traffic lights, a family in a car next door gives the thumbs up.

Like most electric vehicles, the Buzz is smooth, fast and quiet, and has a range of over 200 miles between charges – perfect for a weekend of playing silver surfers on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, I tell my partner. She looks at my short gray hair, ironed shirt and M&S shorts and rolls her eyes.

Okay, we may be past our freewheelin’ prime, but we’re in the trendiest van – loaned by an electric motorhome specialist who promises “the world’s most nature-friendly travel experience.”

Simon writes: ‘The hip design and yellow and white paintwork make strangers point out when we pass by’

“At traffic lights, a family in a car next to it gives the thumbs up,” writes Simon

‘Like most electric vehicles,’ says Simon, ‘the Buzz is smooth, fast and quiet and has a range of over 200 miles between charges’

We reach the Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park campsite in Penmaen, Gower, which has some of the best beach views in Britain, including a trio of rocky pinnacles. A river meanders through sand dunes to castle ruins on the edge of a wooded valley.

I leave the Buzz plugged into an electrical outlet on our field. It’s a regular outlet, so the van takes 12 hours to charge to 80 percent. With a fast charger you are at 80 percent in 30 minutes. If I check the Zapmap app, I’ll find it four miles away if needed.

We embrace the RV fantasy, collecting driftwood and spending an evening around a campfire, but I suspect our wood smoke is causing more pollution than we saved on the trip.

As an ex-Top Gear road tester, I know that a new vehicle is likely to have problems. Sure, faulty internal ceiling lights flicker on and off every few minutes all night. We sleep in the tiny pull-down bed with towels over our heads.

The van takes 12 hours to charge to 80 percent from a regular wall outlet. With a fast charger you are at 80 percent in 30 minutes

The camper has a solar panel on the roof to (slowly) charge a battery that powers the small fridge and hob

Simon prepares a cup of coffee on the van’s single electric hob

He takes the car for a weekend on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales and parks it at a campsite in Three Cliffs Bay (above)

A cup of coffee on the van’s single electric hob brightens up my morning. Eggs and bacon outside with a sunny panorama by the sea is my best breakfast experience in ages.

Another highlight is a wildlife jet boat safari from Oxwich Bay, and we see seals bobbing in the distance. The boat is powered by propellerless water jets, reducing the risk to marine life and the environment.

The motorhome’s own green features include a solar panel on the roof to (slowly) charge a battery that powers a small refrigerator and cooktop. Inner panels are insulated with sheep’s wool. Bedding and furniture are made of bamboo.

There is a sink, pans, kettle and cutlery. A portable toilet tent, folding table, chairs and travel toaster are available as extras.

You cannot stand inside. But I don’t mind sitting down to make a cup of tea or wash the dishes.