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Blake is no stranger to tiny living. He’s built and lived in several small spaces before, from his Scout tiny house, Teacup MSD tiny house, and his custom ProMaster camper van.
After spending five weeks at a time living in his ProMaster, Blake discovered a problem many van lifers face: keeping cool in the summer heat was nearly impossible without running an air conditioner, which required shore power. That meant staying in serviced campgrounds — not exactly stealth camping.
When Blake learned that electric vehicles could run heating or cooling in camp mode for days between charges, he saw a game-changing opportunity for his next build.
Living Super Tiny: Blake’s Kia Niro EV Stealth Camper Car Build
Finding the Right EV in a Tough Market
Emerging from the pandemic, Blake began hunting for the perfect EV to replace his van. The search wasn’t easy — pandemic shortages meant high prices and long waitlists.
He considered the Kia Soul EV, Hyundai Kona, and even a used Tesla Model X, but hybrids like the Toyota Sienna were ruled out immediately since they couldn’t run climate control continuously without the engine kicking on every few minutes.
Eventually, he narrowed it down to the Kia Niro EV. At the time, there were only two used models available in Canada — one in Vancouver and one in Toronto. Blake bought the Toronto one: a 2020 Kia Niro EV SX with premium features like a Harman Kardon stereo, sunroof, heated/ventilated seats, and up to 500 km of range.
Winter Test: -20°C in Stealth Mode
One of Blake’s first experiments was sleeping in the Niro during a Canadian January, when temperatures dropped to -20°C overnight.
With the heat set to +19°C for ten hours, the car only used 8% of its battery. From the outside, there was no sign it was running — no idling, no lights, no noise. Stealth camping at its finest.
Why Blake Ditched the Typical Car Camper Layout
Most car and minivan conversions use wide, raised beds with kitchen drawers that pull out from the rear hatch for outdoor cooking. But Blake saw three major problems with that approach:
- Not stealthy in urban areas.
- Not practical for winter when you’re trying to keep the heat in.
- Insect invasion in summer when cooking with the hatch open in mosquito country.
His solution? A fully indoor kitchen powered by electricity, usable in any weather, and discreet enough for city stealth camping.
Why the Niro EV Works So Well for Stealth Camping
- Fits in any standard parking space
- Access to tourist spots where campervans aren’t allowed
- Low travel costs compared to gas-powered vans
- Up to 4 days of heating/cooling in Utility Mode without recharging
- Easy to keep pets, food, and yourself comfortable in all weather
Key Features of the Build
- Front passenger seat removed (inspired by Joey White’s build) to make room for a sink, storage, and a pull-out work/food prep shelf.
- Appliances & utilities:
- 12V 28L Bouge RV compressor fridge
- Sink with running water
- Portable toilet
- Power setup:
- Car’s 12V outlets and a 150W household socket (stay active in Utility Mode)
- Goal Zero Yeti 500X solar battery for off-grid use, charged via the car or folding solar panels
- Insulated, reversible WeatherTech window covers for privacy and temperature control
- Large carpet-lined underbed storage and aftermarket “frunk” for cables, extension cords, or valuables
- 2” hitch with Thule bike carrier for e-bikes, recharged from the car’s socket
- Roof rails for a 16 ft sea kayak or rooftop carrier
- Flexible sleeping setups:
- Solo: Narrow bed with inflatable camping mattress on the 40% side of the rear seat
- Duo: Fold seats down for a Twin XL or larger mattress
Joey White’s Build Video Tour (Blake’s Inspiration for his micro car camper design)
Life on the Road in the Niro EV
Blake has traveled both solo and with a companion for up to three weeks straight, making most meals in the car and sleeping in it every night.
They’ve stealth camped everywhere from urban neighborhoods and Tim Hortons parking lots to truck stops, Kia dealerships, and free Level 2 chargers.
Costs averaged just $13–$25/day for 4–8 hours of driving using commercial fast chargers — and as little as $0/day when relying on free chargers. The savings allowed them to splurge on great food, enjoying one restaurant meal daily while still cooking high-quality meals inside the car.
Insulated, reversible window covers from WeatherTech allow for complete blackout and stealth.
Aftermarket “Frunk” under hood for storage of charging cables and extension cord (but also stealthy hideaway for laptop when parked at trailhead and off hiking).
2” hitch with Thule bike carrier for e-bike(s) (can recharge e-bike batteries from the 3-prong socket in the car)
Roof rails with attachments for 16ft sea kayak or Thule silver-top rooftop carrier.
Video Tour: Blake’s Stealth Kia Niro EV Camper Conversion (WilloPad3)
Highlights
- Blake’s Kia Niro EV stealth camper, WilloPad3, offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional camper vans, with the ability to maintain climate control for days in “camp mode.”
- The build includes unique features like interior cooking capabilities, avoiding the issues of outdoor cooking in adverse weather and maintaining stealth in urban settings.
- The camper’s compact size allows for easy parking in any spot and access to areas that restrict larger campervans, reducing travel costs significantly.
- Key modifications include the removal of the front passenger seat for additional storage and workspace, and a versatile bed setup for solo or duo travel.
- Power solutions involve using the car’s 12V outlets and a Goal Zero Yeti solar battery for off-grid power needs, enhancing the camper’s self-sufficiency.
- Additional features include a 12V compressor fridge, sink with running water, portable toilet, and insulated window covers for privacy and temperature control.
- The project demonstrates a cost-effective travel lifestyle, with significant savings on accommodation and the flexibility to explore various locations comfortably.
What’s Next for Blake?
With more frequent two-person travel, Blake is already considering doing a similar build with the larger Kia EV9.
Our big thanks to Blake for sharing!🙏
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Alex
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