Safely and Efficiently Charge Your Electric Car at the Campsite

Frank van Buiten @ May 14, 2024

With the increasing number of campsites in Europe offering electric vehicle charging facilities, EV charging at a campsite is becoming easier than ever. Several websites like this one provide a handy list of campsites with charging stations, making your electric vehicle vacation worry-free.

When planning your trip, it is advisable to check in advance for the presence of charging facilities for your electric car, making plug and charge cable stress a thing of the past. This preparation will ensure an efficient and hassle-free experience, making electric car charging at the campsite a breeze.

The importance of preparation

Proper preparation is crucial when you want to go camping with your electric car. Here are some essential steps to consider to ensure a smooth experience:

Step 1: Check charging options

Before you leave, it is important to check if the campground has charging stations for electric cars. Use websites such as Camping with Charging Station to find campsites that offer these facilities. Some booking sites also let you filter by the presence of charging stations.

Step 2: Bring the right equipment

Make sure you always have a Type 2 to household socket charging cable with you. This is essential for emergencies. Check what household socket is the standard in the country you're going to.

Step 3: Understand the charging process

Find out in advance how the on-campus charging stations work. Some may require specific passes or additional fees. Contact the campground for specific information about their charging facilities.

Step 4: Plan your trip carefully

Charging can take a long time, so plan your trip with charging points in mind. It is recommended that you fully charge your electric car at home before you leave. If you are traveling through countries where charging stations are scarce, consider a backup plan, such as a portable charger.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your camping trip with an electric car is both safe and efficient.

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Camping charging options

Finding a suitable campsite with charging facilities for your electric car can be a challenge, but fortunately there are more and more options available. Here are some helpful tips and resources you can use to optimize your electric car camping experience:

Using Apps to Find Charging Stations

Chargemap App: This app helps you locate charging stations suitable for your caravan or camper.
Campingmetlaadpaal.nl: A platform that provides an overview of campsites in Europe with charging facilities for electric vehicles.

Considerations when choosing a campsite

Preferably choose campsites that explicitly state that they have charging stations.
Check whether it is necessary to disconnect your caravan or camper while charging. This may vary by location.

Cost and Availability of Charging Stations

Prices for using charging stations at campsites often start from €46.00.
Fast charging stations can charge your car up to 80% in 20 to 40 minutes, while regular charging stations take about 6 to 10 hours.

A lot of campsites offer places with a commando socket power supply. You can take one of our Commando socket mobile charging cables to charge your electric vehicle onsite. We also supply a variety of adapters compatible with these cables to connect to type 2 charging stations or several types of household sockets. With the right selection of adapters you’ll never need another charging cable again!

Helpful tips for camping with an EV

Vehicle to Load (V2L) Technology.

Use V2L Technology: With Vehicle to Load technology, your electric car's battery can serve as a power bank for other devices. This allows camping in locations without power, without sacrificing your comfort.

Essential Charging Cables.

Bring Type 2 and Type 3 (in France) charging cables: Make sure you always have different types of charging cables with you. A mobile commando socket charging cables with the right adapters will give you even more guarantee you’ll always be able to charge your EV on your trip.

Optimize Charge Time

Make the most of charging time: Use your EV's charging time efficiently by scheduling this time for breaks or meals.

Considerations for Camping Weight

Pay attention to the weight of your camping gear: Every extra kilogram reduces the range of your electric vehicle. A lightweight tent has the least impact, but for extra space, consider a tow-bar box, which provides less drag than a caravan.

Insurance and Safety.

Check your insurance: Make sure you are insured for any damages when traveling with a caravan or RV.

Frequency of Charging.

Plan for more frequent charging: If you are traveling with a caravan or RV, keep in mind that you may need to stop more frequently to recharge.

Finding Charging Stations

Use the Chargemap app: This app is an excellent tool for finding charging stations along your route, which is essential for a worry-free electric car camping experience. Also some cars, like Tesla’s, have a built in navigation system that guides you along all the best charging stations.

Future prospects for EV campers

The future of electric vehicle (EV) camping looks promising, given the rapid increase in EVs in Europe and the resulting demand for adequate charging infrastructure. By 2030, at least 55% of cars in Europe are expected to be electric, representing about 40-50 million EVs. This growth is supported by the European Parliament's commitment to sustainability and the European Commission's climate ambitions of a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Camping operators would do well to prepare for this growing demand by providing safe and well-designed connections. Providing charging stations can also be an effective marketing strategy, as the number of EVs is growing faster than the number of public charging stations. Moreover, future developments, such as built-in charging stations in caravans, may eliminate the need for fixed charging points, further increasing flexibility for campers.

Interestingly, many car manufacturers are developing electric RVs, which will further expand options for EV campers.