Uptick in rural chargers will likely make EV drivers happy campers

It's getting easier for adventurers to take their electric vehicles to camp or explore the roads less traveled, and the uptick in charging options in rural areas is making all the difference.

As EVs are becoming more prevalent, the pandemic continues to spark the popularity of outdoor activities such as camping or other types of adventures. The convergence of these trends is fueling government, nonprofits and companies to work toward creating an adequate network of charging stations at state and national parks and even more remote destinations. The goal is to allow EV drivers to comfortably travel and camp without the worry of where they will find their next charge.

"More and more consumers going toward EVs need charging facilities not just on highways or in houses, but hundreds of miles away," Dan Ives, Wedbush Securities managing director and EV industry analyst, told Automotive News.

Over the next five years, Ives projects there will be about 50,000 chargers in off-road areas across the U.S. Today, he estimates only about 15 percent of the 108,000 U.S. public chargers are in rural areas.

Wedbush compares the electrification of these remote U.S. areas to the rollout of EV charging stations in Norway, where camping in cold, northern climates is popular. The cold climates take a toll on batteries' range, so the ability to charge needs to be readily available.

Tesla drivers already camp in their vehicles by attaching a tent or use them to tow campers. Upcoming EVs, such as the Ford F-150 Lightning, which will be able to tow 10,000 pounds, and the Rivian R1T truck and R1S SUV — marketed as "electric adventure vehicles" — will add to the number of people who take their EVs to camp and explore remote areas of the U.S.

Charging stations are steadily being installed at parks nationwide. Michigan last month said it would make an initial $1.25 million in grants available to create an electrification loop along Lake Michigan and key tourist areas, providing EV drivers with adequate charging as they explore scenic spots.

Trevor Pawl, chief mobility officer for the state, says this route of consistent charging locations will help tourists and the tourism industry and promote EV use.

"There are people in Detroit that don't want to buy an EV because you can't drive it up north," Pawl says. "It's hard to find chargers to get back."

Michigan is dedicated to fixing that problem and eliminating it as a roadblock for adventure-seeking drivers as they consider purchasing an EV. The state is working with Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin to co-invest and share best practices for regional charging efforts.

"The American road trip is one of the first things that can change," Pawl says when he discusses an electrified future. "People want to stay at an eco-friendly resort, but we don't talk about an eco-friendly route. … We're eyes wide-open this is not going to be easy."

ChargePoint provides hardware and software that operates a network of charging stations across the country. Anne Smart, vice president of public policy, says the company "has been working with organizations across the country to build EV charging along key travel corridors that connect remote areas."

Making this connection requires the company to work with retailers, hotels, restaurants, parking service providers, cities, counties and utilities. ChargePoint partnered with state governments to install stations along travel routes that connect remote areas in California, Colorado and Maine.

Harvey Payne, an EV owner and a member of the Electric Auto Association's San Diego chapter, says he and his wife pull a camper trailer with their 2017 Tesla Model X.

"We generally book campgrounds outside of national parks because they have services, while most national park campgrounds are primitive with no hookups," says Payne, 68, of Ramona, Calif. "We will camp without hookups for an overnighter if there is a Supercharger nearby."

The ultimate way for Payne to enjoy his EV and his desire to camp throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada and Arizona is to find campgrounds that provide 50- and 30-amp electrical connections so he can plug the trailer into the 30-amp receptacle and the car into the 50-amp, meaning Payne can charge up the Tesla just like at home.

Says Payne: "We can plug in at the end of the day and have a full charge in the morning for exploring, which we love to do."