OEM Spotlight: ENRG Vans – Crafting Adventure on Wheels
Posted by Jocelyn Zidar with Mike Williams on Oct 30th 2024
For Mike Williams, founder of ENRG Vans in Fayetteville, West Virginia, the road to van building wasn’t just a business endeavor—it was a way of life. What began as a quest for adventure while chasing perfect rock climbing conditions evolved into a thriving business that now produces some of the most innovative, modular vans on the market.
“I started my travel lifestyle about 25 years ago when I got into rock climbing,” Mike says. Back then, he was crisscrossing the country in an ‘86 VW Westfalia, living out of the van full-time while working as a guidebook author and editor for a climbing magazine. “When the VW finally died, I had to find a new van to live in. This was around 2005—well before anyone coined the term ‘van life.’ All Vanagons were old, the VW Eurovan had been discontinued, and RVs were huge. So, if you wanted to live in a van, you had to build it yourself.”
That DIY spirit led Mike to buy a 118” Sprinter and put together a build using 2x4s and plywood. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked. After years of traveling in the van, Mike settled down when his daughter was born in 2015. But van life wasn’t behind him for long. “Shortly after, a friend asked me to build out an old Ford E-series van. I started building in my garage, and within a few months, it turned into an LLC, then a shop space in town, and our first employee, Dave, who’s still with us today.”
A Shift in Focus: Building Vans for Life's Journey
Over the years, Mike’s definition of “Overlanding” has evolved. While many people associate Overlanding with off-roading and adventure in remote areas, Mike sees it as something broader. “For most people, Overlanding evokes images of big tires crawling over rocks in the desert. That’s certainly part of it, but we’ve changed our focus to building vehicles for navigating life and the changes that come with it,” Mike explains.
At ENRG Vans, the emphasis isn’t just on creating off-road-ready rigs—it’s about designing vans that serve a variety of purposes. “Most people don’t have the time or means to spend significant amounts of time off-road,” Mike points out. “We build our vans to be adaptable, multi-use vehicles—useful for daily driving, weekend adventures, or full-time living.”
The Principles of Good Design: Space, Modularity, and Aesthetics
Mike takes pride in the principles that guide ENRG Vans’ designs. “Quality is our number one non-negotiable. We will never cut corners or use inferior products,” he says. Beyond that, their designs focus on three core elements: space, modularity, and aesthetics.
“We value open space in the van and integrate as much as we can into the body of the vehicle. Everything we build is modular, meaning our components are easily removable so the van can adapt to the situation—whether it’s a trip to the hardware store or a cross-country vacation.” The third pillar, aesthetics, is just as important. “Our vans always have a very clean look. Most modular vans end up looking like clunky gypsy wagons on the inside. We put countless hours into ensuring our design maintains modularity without sacrificing that clean aesthetic.”
This thoughtful approach to design has earned ENRG Vans a dedicated following, particularly among those who need versatile, reliable builds. “I’m really proud of our base model van because it’s completely empty” Mike says. “It’s insulated, climate-controlled with a 12V air conditioner and furnace, and it has a 460Ah lithium electrical system with alternator charging, 295 watts of solar, and 30-amp shore power through a 2000-watt inverter. We did all this without sacrificing a single square inch of floor space.”
That blank canvas approach is one of the things that sets ENRG Vans apart. “Our base model van is a blank slate for customers to configure using our components. We can install everything in less than an hour, and it remains adaptable, which I think is really unique to our design.”
Tern Overland Windows: Ventilation with a View
When it came to selecting the right windows for his builds, Mike knew exactly what he was looking for. “I found Tern Overland while researching windows for our very first build as a business. I knew I wanted acrylic awning-style windows, but they seemed to be available only in Europe. Luckily, Tern had just started distribution in the U.S., and I think we were one of their first accounts.”
The partnership between ENRG Vans and Tern Overland grew organically, with both companies learning and evolving together. “For a while, we were guinea pigs for figuring out what sizes fit in which panels of different vans,” Mike recalls.
The standout feature of Tern Overland windows for Mike? Ventilation. “No other window offers the same level of airflow. With a couple of Tern windows wide open and the fan running, it feels like you’re outside. You just don’t get that with slider windows that only have tiny openings.”
What’s Next for ENRG Vans?
As ENRG Vans continues to evolve, Mike is excited about what’s ahead. “We’re coming out of about four years of slow-motion R&D. Every van we build gets about 3% better than the last one. I think we’ve finally reached a point where I’m really satisfied with our product. Now, we’re focusing on becoming more efficient with each build.”
From humble beginnings in a garage to a growing business with a reputation for quality, ENRG Vans is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and a passion for adventure. As Mike continues to refine his builds, it’s clear that ENRG Vans is here to stay—helping more and more people hit the road in style.
For more information about ENRG Vans and to check out their builds, visit ENRG Vans.