My e‑Transporter van life - David Cooke

I’ve been driving vans for about 20 years now. For me, it’s always been about having something that works around how I live – something that gives me the space and freedom to just get out and do things, and the e‑Transporter Kombi most definitely does that.

I’ve got limited mobility in my legs and use a wheelchair, so practicality is important, but more than that, I like to stay active. Whether it’s handcycling in the Somerset countryside near to where I live, like I’m doing today, or heading down to the beach for blokarting (a form of land sailing), I like being out, moving, doing something. The van makes that possible.

When I started looking around at vans, the e‑Transporter stood out quite quickly. I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Volkswagen, and the Warm Green metallic version caught my eye straight away. I went for the Kombi mainly because of the flexibility it gives you. At the moment, I’ve got four seats, and I can still fit everything I need into it – my handcycle, my wheelchair – and there’s more than enough space up front for my wife Jane and me. If I ever need more space, the back seats can come out completely, so it adapts depending on what we’re doing.

That flexibility makes a big difference. In my previous van, which I’d converted into a camper, everything had to be packed in quite carefully. It worked, but it wasn’t always easy. With this, it’s much more straightforward – it’s a case of loading up and heading off.

I’m also open to the idea of turning it into a partial camper again – but in a more flexible way. Because it’s electric, you can use the van itself as a power source. You don’t need separate hook-ups or gas systems in the same way, so you can keep the space more open and adaptable.

As for making the switch to electric, I’d been considering it for a while. We’ve had solar panels at home for years and are keen on doing anything that helps the environment, so the idea of running a vehicle without relying completely on fossil fuels felt like a natural step. So far, it’s proven to be the right decision – charging at home on a cheap tariff, it’s costing me around 2p a mile, which is a world away from my previous van.

There’s a bit of forward planning with charging, but it quickly becomes second nature – no different to how I’ve managed an e-bike for the last few years. Most of the time, it’s just plugged in overnight and ready to go in the morning.

The technology inside makes a big difference as well. The 360-degree camera is probably the feature I rely on most – it makes manoeuvring something this size really straightforward. There are lots of smaller touches too – USB ports everywhere, clever storage, things that just make it easier to use day to day.

It’s also nice to have that sense of comfort when you’re out for the day. If the weather turns, you’ve got somewhere quite luxurious and dry to sit, somewhere to regroup before heading back out again. It becomes part of the day, rather than just the journey.

From an accessibility point of view, it’s been really good. I haven’t needed any modifications. There’s enough adjustment in the seat and steering wheel that I can get comfortable, see clearly, and reach everything I need. That’s not something you take for granted.

What’s probably struck me most is how naturally it fits into everything I already do. There’s often an assumption that going electric means compromise, but for me it’s been the opposite. It’s quieter, cheaper to run, and easier day to day. It gives me exactly what I need – space, flexibility, and the ability to get out and be active without overthinking it.

It’s easy to live with – and it keeps up with me. That’s the most important thing.