Can You Charge an Electric Car at a Campsite? A Practical Guide for Car Campers

Short Answer: Yes, Most Campsites Offer Charging—But Speed and Compatibility Vary

Yes, you can charge an electric car at many campsites, especially those with electrical hookups for caravans and RVs. A standard campsite outlet typically delivers 2.3 kW to 3.6 kW in Europe (230 V at 10–16 A) or 1.4 kW to 1.9 kW in North America (120 V at 12–16 A). This is slow Level 1/2 charging: expect 10–20 km (6–12 miles) of range per hour, meaning an overnight stay adds 100–200 km (60–120 miles). Some campsites also offer dedicated EV charging points with faster AC (up to 22 kW) or even DC fast charging, but these are less common. Always confirm the socket type, maximum current, and charging policy before relying on a campsite to top up your battery.

How Campsite Charging Works: Hookups, Sockets, and Limits

Campsite electrical hookups are pedestals or posts that provide a weatherproof socket, usually for powering lights, fridges, and heaters in tents or caravans. For EV charging, you need a portable EV charger (also called a granny charger or mobile connector) that plugs into a standard domestic socket. Key factors are socket compatibility and electrical supply limits.

Socket Types You Will Encounter

• Europe: CEE 17 blue “caravan socket” (IEC 60309, 230 V, 16 A). This is the standard campsite hookup. Some sites also have Schuko (Type F) or French Type E sockets. Your portable charger must match or you need an adapter.
• North America: NEMA 5-15 (120 V, 15 A) household outlet, often with GFCI protection. Some pedestals offer NEMA TT-30 (120 V, 30 A) or NEMA 14-50 (240 V, 50 A) but require appropriate adapters and a charger capable of higher current.
• UK/Ireland: BS 1363 13 A sockets or CEE 17 blue connectors.

Always carry a set of plug adapters rated for outdoor use and ensure your portable charger supports the voltage and frequency of the country you are in.

Electrical Supply Limits at Campsites

Campsite outlets are usually protected by circuit breakers rated at 10 A, 16 A, or sometimes less. The maximum safe continuous charging current is 80% of the breaker rating: 8 A on a 10 A circuit, 12–13 A on a 16 A circuit. Drawing more will trip the breaker and may cut power to your pitch and neighbours. Some campsites explicitly forbid EV charging from standard hookups because their electrical infrastructure is not designed for prolonged high loads or uses old wiring. Always check the campsite’s policy.

Step-by-Step: How to Charge Your EV at a Campsite

1. Check campsite charging policies before booking. Look for “EV charging allowed” or contact the site. Some sites have dedicated EV bays; others only allow charging from your pitch hookup.
2. Identify the socket type and rated current. Ask for “CEE blue 16 A” or “NEMA 5-15, 15 A” and whether the circuit is shared.
3. Set your portable charger to a safe current limit. If adjustable, set it to 80% of the breaker rating (e.g., 10 A on a 13 A socket). If not adjustable, use a charger that matches the socket’s rated current and never exceeds it.
4. Plug in and monitor for the first few minutes. Ensure the plug does not overheat and the charge current is stable. Use a thermal cover or shade to prevent overheating in direct sun.
5. Charge overnight while you sleep. A 16 A hookup adds about 28 kWh in 8 hours (230 V), enough for 150–200 km in many EVs.
6. Unplug safely in the morning. Disconnect the car first, then the charger from the socket, and stow cables dry and clean.

Comparing Campsite Charging Options: A Table for Your Shortlist

Use this table to record key details from different campsites side by side. Missing information is not automatically a drawback—it may simply not be published. Treat “no answer” as a question mark until clarified.

Fill in the table for each site you are considering. If a field is empty, mark it as “unknown” and follow up. Differences in socket type and current rating matter the most for charging speed; differences in policy and sleeping rules may rule out a site entirely.

Practical Examples: Understanding Trade-offs

Imagine two campsites:

• Site A: CEE blue 16 A socket, charging allowed, electricity included in pitch fee, but does not allow sleeping in the vehicle—you must use a tent.
• Site B: NEMA 5-15 15 A socket (120 V), charging allowed for a $5 flat fee, and explicitly allows car camping.

If your priority is range gained overnight and you can sleep in a tent, Site A delivers about 230 V × 13 A ≈ 3 kW, adding ~24 kWh in 8 hours. Site B delivers 120 V × 12 A = 1.44 kW, adding ~11.5 kWh. But if you need to sleep in your car, Site A is not an option despite better charging. This trade-off shows why you must compare all features against your personal priorities.

Missing information vs. genuine drawback: A listing that does not mention charging policy might still allow it if asked; a listing that says “no EV charging from hookups” is a clear drawback for an EV driver. Similarly, a site with only a 10 A socket is not necessarily bad—it just charges slower. You might choose a site with slower charging if it is in a better location or cheaper.

How to Build a Clear Shortlist and Decide

1. List your non-negotiables. For most EV car campers: charging allowed, overnight vehicle sleeping permitted, socket type compatible with your charger, and safe current limit.
2. Collect information from each listing. Use the table above. If details are missing, call or email the campsite.
3. Rank by charging power (kW). Calculate expected overnight range: kW × 8 hours × efficiency (typically 6–7 km/kWh). Compare and note if faster charging is worth extra cost or less convenient location.
4. Check for hidden costs. Some sites charge per kWh or per night for hookup. Add these to your total.
5. Weigh sleeping comfort. If you cannot sleep in your car, you need a tent or cabin, which changes your gear and budget.
6. Make a final shortlist of 2–3 sites that satisfy all must-haves, then choose based on price, location, and amenities.

Final Tips for Safe and Reliable Campsite EV Charging

• Use a portable EV charger with adjustable current and built-in temperature monitoring.
• Inspect the campsite socket for damage or looseness before plugging in; a worn socket can overheat.
• Never use a coiled extension lead; it can overheat. Use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord rated for at least 16 A if needed, and uncoil it fully.
• Be considerate: charging an EV draws near the maximum current for many hours. Some older campsites may not have been designed for this, so if the site asks you to limit charging, respect that.
• Carry a “granny charger” that works on 120 V and 230 V if you travel internationally, plus adapters for common campsite sockets.