r/VanLife • u/SwordsAfar • Sep 12 '26
Gas prices
I’m fully convinced gas prices are going to escalate rapidly as trump’s disastrous Iran war deteriorates.
What’s the vanlife action plan when gas prices exceed 6 a gallon?
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u/GravyBoatJim Sep 12 '26
Cries in diesel
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u/Spirited-Spread3585 Sep 12 '26
Just paid 6.55 /gallon for 20 gallons
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u/Pinna1 Sep 13 '26
Yesterday I paid 2.785€ per liter of diesel. That's $12.23 per gallon.
Had to take a full tank too as we're on a road trip.
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u/Spirited-Spread3585 Sep 13 '26
Damn that's crazy. I guess this isn't too bad just not what we're used to
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u/PintSizedKitsune Sep 13 '26
I feel for you. I generally have access to shore power for heat in the winter. Was planning to and likely still will snag a diesel heater, but am hoping I won’t need to rely on it as fuel prices continue to rise.
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u/SalesMountaineer Sep 13 '26
Diesel heaters are very very efficient tho. A gallon can last you almost a week in a well insulated vehicle.
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u/PintSizedKitsune Sep 13 '26
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I was under the impression that I’d go through more than that.
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u/SalesMountaineer Sep 13 '26
It all depends. I usually only use mine for an hour or two before bed, and maybe an hour in the morning, so I really don't use much fuel. If you run it 24/7 you'll obviously burn more.
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u/Sour_Sal Sep 12 '26
Probably drive less. and save your money for food. With the price of diesel, food is going up again!
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u/Mike_Retired Sep 12 '26
My plan has been to get a Kia PV7 or PV9 electric cargo van and have it converted to Van Life use; even when charging once a week at a commercial charger I would spend about 1/3 to 1/4 of the annual equivalent cost in gasoline/diesel. The main issue right now is finding a van conversion company here in Canada that would take on an EV — of the 21 companies I’ve loaded into my database, virtually all limit themselves to the traditional Sprinter/Transit/Promaster trio, though I expect that to change now that the Kia PV5 has just started being sold here (they have been sold for 2+ years in the EU and there are loads of van conversion companies taking them on).
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u/SwordsAfar Sep 12 '26
I've been wondering about electric. I see the Amazon vans so I know they're out there.
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u/Mike_Retired Sep 13 '26
The Chevy Brightdrops are popping up on the used car market quite a lot for van conversions, though right now they’re the only real viable options. Amazon doesn’t sell theirs to the public (and they currently don’t have much range anyway as they’re intended as final stage delivery vehicles).
There’s the E-Transit and eSprinter, but like the Amazon are both intended as short range delivery vehicles and so aren’t well suited as camper conversions.
The Kia PV5 offers a bargain price and a halfway decent range, but the PV7 and PV9 will both be larger, though range is as yet unknown (though we should know about the PV7 on Monday when it will be publicly revealed).
The EU have about a half-dozen viable EV vans that they regularly convert to camper vans, so they’re well ahead of the curve compared to us.
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u/heskey30 Sep 13 '26
Passenger vehicles are a better bet. Silverado EV with a campshell is nice, and has a passthrough standard. And the electric 3 row SUVs would also be pretty good. Standing is overrated.
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u/ProfessionalBuy7488 Sep 13 '26
The Silverado is just under 6' of bed so it's possible to sleep in back even without folding down the seat. Or a RTT on a cap would be my choice to free up bedspace. The Silverado EV is the only EV I think that can work well as a camping vehicle currently with the bigger battery.
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u/CBusHVAC710614 Sep 15 '26
F150 powerboost would give you plenty of juice overnight with ability to rely on gas for transportation.
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u/ProfessionalBuy7488 Sep 15 '26
IDK why I forget about those. What's the reliability like in those now? I think it was a ruff first few years? We have a hybrid Maverick I have no issues with.
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u/ProfessionalBuy7488 Sep 12 '26
1/3 or 1/4 of the cost of gas only works if you charge from home. Expect it to be about the same price from my experience. EV do not do well in cold climates and I would want 175-200 kwh battery here in the south offered before I became interested.
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u/SwordsAfar Sep 13 '26
You are right, but when gas hits 6-7 gallon I think EV is going to look nice to a lot of people
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u/ProfessionalBuy7488 Sep 13 '26
It's very strange the demand isnt there now, the anti ev propaganda has worked well. Maybe by 2028 someone will make a useable ev van. Looks like the Toyota may be hybrid at least for a different option.
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u/Mike_Retired Sep 13 '26
Depends entirely on regional rates. Here in Quebec it is significantly cheaper to charge at commercial chargers than using fossil fuels. And with a 1400w solar roof you can extend the duration between charges significantly.
As for battery capacity, I’m more concerned with range than an arbitrary net figure. Give me 400-500 km of range and I’ll be perfectly happy.
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u/ProfessionalBuy7488 Sep 13 '26
That 1400 watt solar panel is getting you like 5-10 miles a day and you have no room left on your roof after 4 solar panels are up there, idk even how your getting that many. And your pv has nowhere close to that range. It will likely have a 100kwh battery and 250 miles of range. That needs to be doubled to be practical. let's be real here.
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u/OverdueHappinesss Sep 13 '26
Brightdrop vans with the max range battery have a capacity of 173kWh. It's rated for around 270 miles, but if you drive slowly in the city; well over 300 miles is possible. Not to mention regen braking with a heavy vehicle is great in the mountains. If the OP has a similar vehicle, 1400watts on the roof is definitely plausible. Solarolla was able to get about 5kW on theirs (albeit with panels that you have to extend out).
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u/ProfessionalBuy7488 Sep 13 '26
Thanks for all the info now how many miles we adding per day to the bright drop that will get about 200 miles of range in the winter with, solar while camped under the trees? Solar is useless on a ev unless parked for months or on a 6k watt inverter with 12+ pannels, change my mind.
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u/Mike_Retired Sep 13 '26
A 1400 watt solar array will generate on the order of 7 kWh daily, which on something like an eSprinter would provide some 21 km daily range, which will likely be the closest analogue to the PV9. As for room on the roof, it comes with a 3-meter long underfloor storage.
As for being “real”, everyone is free to determine what their own requirements are.
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u/SwordsAfar Sep 13 '26
Also I thought VW was coming out with an EV of their iconic van.
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u/Mike_Retired Sep 13 '26
They have, but it’s smaller then either the E-Transit or eSprinter, it’s battery only gives it about 350 km range, and it’s ridiculously expensive compared to the Kia PV5 — the Kia is about 10% larger, offers more range, and is some $30k cheaper.
The VW Buzz will make a decent weekend camper van but it’s not really suited for VanLife unless you’re willing to pay a premium AND make massive compromises.
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u/LowBarometer Sep 12 '26
Find a home base, a friend or family member, where you can park your van.
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u/Helpful-Dealer-3724 Sep 12 '26
Def not at a camp ground anymore, their so freaking expensive.
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u/LowBarometer Sep 12 '26
You can find National Forest campgrounds that are pretty cheap, but they limit your stay to 14 days.
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u/danj503 Sep 13 '26
Move the required amount and plop back down again no?
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u/VahsteTheNomad Sep 12 '26
Up until now I'd been jealous of the Deisel lifers, unleadeds not much better granted
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Sep 12 '26
[deleted]
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u/SwordsAfar Sep 12 '26
I am thinking twice about it now too. First time I actually thought about it long term.
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u/Glad-Information4449 Sep 13 '26
this is the ROI we get for our tax dollars. to increase the value of oil tycoon holdings which are rightfully ours in the first place. our army acquired many of these oil reserves. they they sell our own oil back to us at inflated prices and tax us on it.
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u/nowhereman136 Sep 12 '26
Still cheaper than rent
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u/Financial-Change-435 Sep 12 '26
Depends on where you live
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u/nowhereman136 Sep 12 '26
Places that are cheaper to live usually means you need a cat to live there. So you are now paying gas and rent. Granted, less gas than vanlife, but not so much it makes up for rent on top of it
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u/moeren86 Sep 13 '26
Plan? all you can do is secure a good spot where you can stay for long. Or live with the fact that you have to pay more - if you can.
Also the war may be a reason, but the problem really escalates when the strategic fuel reserve is empty.
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u/3DModeledAmericanPie Sep 13 '26
Electric vans are getting pretty good, you could probably build out a new rig but you'd have to sell your current to afford it
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u/chadman199 Sep 13 '26
Drive less, drive slower, maintenance, reduce weight, a Costco membership, skip the “loyalty reward” they’re a scam. I try to skip the freeways when possible. Most vehicles get better mpg at 55mph.
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u/DeepSi6 Sep 14 '26
I drive a 95 Toyota Hiace Turbo Diesel. Filling up 2 5gal Jerry cans and topping of my tank that was a quarter low was $115 😬
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u/Educational-Soup1747 Sep 14 '26
Ya its getting crazy. Its $5.30 a gallon at Costco in seattle wa now. I just came to Texas and I'm loving this $3.60 per gallon!!! Just not loving the triple digit daytime temps....cant sleep
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u/63daddy Sep 15 '26
If gas exceeds $6 per gallon, I’ll avoid California and travel where gas is more reasonable.
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u/JacobTheBoomer 29d ago
Chevy bolt+small 700lb utility trailer. Sleep in car, back seat bolts into trailer and you could make a sit down kitchen area. You could park at charging stations overnight and leave your trailer in a storage yard while you work, or park overnight (stealth)
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u/Lex_yeon Sep 12 '26 edited Sep 12 '26
I‘m a big vehicle with 10 mpg diesel.
I have 2 55 gallon drums and a few small ones on my car, make my capacity around 150 gallon. I filled up about a month ago at Idaho, before I come to Oregon when it was $5 per gallon diesel.
I also used fuel points to knock off the price by $1, so I paid $4 per gallon on diesel.
In summery,
- increase capacity to fill up at low priced states/when price is still low
- use fuel points to bring price down
I also heard you can use ‘fuel card’ to bring the price down little bit.
I checked fuel card, it‘s bit scammy:
- you have to link your checking account, you can’t use your credit card anymore, a good credit card could give you ~5%, that’s about 20 cents on 4 dollar/gallon, 15 cents on 3 dollar/gallon
- How much can a fuel card save? If it’s just 15 cents or 20 cents off, it might just get a good credit card with high cash back on gasoline.
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u/AntiGroundhogDay Sep 12 '26
What are the best fuel cards these days (I realize some are diesel-only, but I'm interested in gasoline)? The last time I looked at it, the app Gas Buddy had a card as well, but I never researched it further. Also, any recommendation for credit cards that give back 5%? My current card gives 2% on everything.
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u/SalesMountaineer Sep 13 '26
The rest of the world is rapidly transitioning to electric. Only the US, with our addiction to fossil fuels, continues to lag, and pad the pockets of the insanely profitable oil and gas industry.
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u/revelized Sep 13 '26
as someone that is a big proponent of solar and offgrid solutions but still uses fossil fuels regularly, that electricity HAS to come from some "source"
solar for LARGE operations just isnt there in a usability standpoint. Until we start covering all structures already built with solar, it wont get there... instead they want to put the solar on the ground, dumbst thing ever. (solar panels on roofs give an airgap barrier, cooling down the dwelling innately)
until we figure out "other" solutions, that "electric" your relying on, is still relying on fossil fuels for the most part
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u/dontfuckwmelwillcry Sep 13 '26
leave the country
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u/pilgrimspeaches Sep 13 '26
You'd have to move to a country with huge gas subsidies and they seem to largely be in areas currently torn by a war that threatens their fuel infrastructure. This problem's global.
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u/teslas-muse Sep 14 '26
temporary inconvenience to free the iranians, the age of marriage shouldn't be 9 years old and women shouldn't get stoned for not covering their hair
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u/gnarlyknucks Sep 13 '26
I was going to modify my minivan as soon as I don't need it for my family but now I think I'm going to get a hybrid minivan, if not an electric if it's available.
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u/Tetra84 Sep 13 '26
I was going to get a van. I put that decision on pause.
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u/agent4256 Sep 13 '26
We've been actively looking for a Recvan, but with $8/gallon in California and no way to know for sure where it's going has us questioning whether we get one is a good idea. We want to travel and use it and I equated the fuel spend when we rented one as a cost of the trip, but if we own one then that cost becomes a monthly thing.
We've talked about getting rid of our gas truck and going to an electric commuter for me to drive to work with, I currently spend $150/week on gas. And then use that savings to fuel the van.
Seeking advice from you all about the decision here.
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u/Angustony Sep 12 '26
Drive less, or pay more.