. . . AND FINALLY
Consider this cosy compact camper for carbon-conscious couples.
Environmentally conscious campers the world over will be glad to know that they don’t have to resort to the gas-guzzling and ostentatious busses and trucks that others who claim to love nature drive to get to these beautiful spots.
While most motorhomes are mammoths, German firm Elektro Frosch (it literally translates to electric frog) builds a little tuk-tuk that doubles as a mobile home. But it’s a mere 247 cm long and weighs just 240 kg.
Basically, it’s a threewheeled moped. Many of us will fondly remember Abdul Rasbanja, the Leon Schuster character, for driving something similar on his many pranks around the Republic in the 1980s.
But this little tuk-tuk isn’t for antagonising residents of Boksburg. It’ll do little to upset just about anyone, let alone the wildlife of any game reserve, and is kitted out sufficiently for two people to enjoy a weekend away. The Elektro Frosch’s load bay stores a fold out three-quarter bed, plus a tent to cover it.
The load bed also houses a gazebo and a fully equipped kitchen that includes a gas cooker, table, cutlery and crockery. And when you’re not camping, the little Frosch has a payload of 525 kg, just in case you want to help someone move house or build a new braai pit.
What makes the Frosch so green? Well it’s powered by 3 kW electric motor that is fed by a 4,3 kWh deep-cycle gel battery. It takes between six and eight hours to charge fully, has a top speed of 40 km/h with a range of 60 km.
This limited range and speed makes it an unlikely candidate for success in South Africa, but in case you’re wondering and you’re not in a rush to get anywhere, or you live just down the road from a campsite, one of these odd vehicles will set you back a mere R72 000.