Electric Vehicles In RV Campgrounds: What You Need To Know

Electric vehicles are coming soon to a campground near you!

With electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and even electric motorcycles selling in greater numbers every year, a growing number of buyers who want to enjoy the great outdoors are discovering that some recreational vehicle (RV) campgrounds offer access to 50-Amp electrical outlets.

The availability of high-powered electricity near nature destinations or in remote locations between towns can help electric-vehicle drivers travel farther without waiting for more formal charging infrastructure to be developed.

READ: Tesla Passes 200 Supercharger Sites, Only 60 Percent In U.S.

This article is intended to help owners and operators of RV campground understand how an electric-car driver would want to use a 50-Amp outlet--and how to develop a good relationship between EV drivers and the RV campgrounds they may visit.

The most likely vehicle many park owners will see is a Tesla Model S. It's a beautiful luxury car that has a range of 200 to 250 miles, and the ability to charge faster than any other electric car. It also has amazing acceleration that will blow your mind, but you can read reviews about the car yourself!

When a Model S driver visits an RV park, you are mostly concerned with the car's battery. The largest capacity is 85 kilowatt-hours, and the average electric price in the US is 11 cents per kWh).

ALSO SEE: 2014 Electric Motorcycles: Buyer's Guide

While that may seem like a lot, it means that at that price, a Tesla Model S cannot possibly use more than $9.35 worth of electricity.

(Look up your own electricity rate to adjust these numbers if necessary.)

And it's unlikely that every Tesla will arrive with a battery so depleted that the car needs a full charge. Most drivers will leave themselves a buffer to ensure they won't run out of charge before arriving at a charging location.

Regardless, it will take approximately 8 hours for Tesla drivers to charge a completely empty battery pack. Here's the breakdown.

• Tesla Model S charging on a 220V 50A outlet:

• Battery = 85kWh, Cost = $9.35, Time = 8 hours, Rate = $1.17/hr

These numbers represent the absolute maximum and almost nobody who wants to charge at your site will need that much electricity. However, it is a good reference point.

Here are the same numbers for another electric car--in fact, the most popular one in the world:

• Nissan Leaf charging on a 220V 50A outlet, using the onboard 6.6kW charger:

• Battery = 24kWh, Cost = $2.64, Time = 3.6 hours, Rate = $0.73/hr

A Nissan Leaf can't use the full power of a 50A outlet, so it charges more slowly and only has a range of 80-100 miles.

Some electric motorcycle drivers take road trips (I did!) and use much less electricity.

• Zero S electric motorcycle using a 5kW charger:

• Battery = 9kWh, Cost = $0.99, Time = 1.5 hours, Rate = $0.66/hr

People who drive electric cars and motorcycles know how much electricity they use and the approximate cost.

This means that charging all electric-vehicle drivers the same amount to recharge will cause frustration, leading to poor relations between RV parks and EV drivers.

Right now, the electric drivers who take road trips and use RV parks along the way are early adopters. They are, by and large, considerate people who want to take care of the earth and make it a better place.

ALSO SEE: Used Tesla Electric Cars: Certified Previously Owned (CPO) Program Coming, Company Confirms

They will likely offer to pay you the approximate electricity cost--and maybe a bit more, to give you some profit. Since they're using the site during the day, for a few hours, wouldn't expect any overnight rates to apply.

Here are some ideas to help RV park oeprators develop guidelines for electric vehicles if one should happen to ask to charge at their campground.

- Free: Sometimes it's fun just to chat with the driver of a new and unusual vehicle--someone who is going on an adventure using only electrons. You may also find that an owner spending an hour or more to recharge will buy food if you have it for sale. Generally, we understand that an RV campground is a business: If you offer a free charge, most of us will try to make up for the electrical cost some other way.

- Charge by the hour: Set hourly rates for different types of vehicles and models: one for a Tesla Model S, another for a Nissan Leaf, along with a motorcycle rate by the hour would be very well received. That way, drivers can determine what amount of electricity they need to make it to their next destination.

- Flat rate: Set a fixed rate for a Tesla Model S, one for a Nissan Leaf, and a third for every motorcycle. This may be easiest for your employees, but might leave drivers feeling taken advantage of--since they may not need a full charge.

MUST SEE: Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock Discuss VW Electric Cars In New Ad (In German)

Many RV park owners may not yet have seen an electric vehicle at their campsite--but the chances that they will are growing steadily.

Knowing the facts will help operators and owners be prepared to make use of campground charging a pleasant experience for everyone involved.

Right now, the electric-car and electric-motorcycle communities are tight-knit, so if you develop a good relationship with the drivers, the word will spread--and people will learn that your campground is a good place to visit.

You may even see some of them return with tents, campers, or RVs of their own!

[photo of Tesla at Sunrise RV Park originally published on MicroBattery.com blog post, March 2013]

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