In recent times, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) has been at the forefront of lobbying efforts, emphasizing the need for an EV charging infrastructure that caters to RVs. Their endeavors come in the wake of unprecedented government funding aimed at reimagining the EV charging landscape.
A collaborative report by the RVIA and Black & Veatch, an engineering firm, has been pivotal in this advocacy.
The report titled “Reimagining the EV Charging Landscape to Support Future Innovation” underscores the consumer’s need for pull-through charging and the significance of designing such charging stations.
The U.S. is currently presented with a unique opportunity. With a $5 billion federal funding allocation for a national fast-charging network and an additional $2.5 billion for rural and urban communities, there’s a pressing need to ensure that a significant segment of the automotive industry, the RVs, is not overlooked.
Jason Rano, the RVIA’s vice president of government affairs, has been vocal about the importance of this initiative. He highlighted that electric vehicles, such as the Rivian R1T and Ford F150 Lightning, are already being utilized to tow RVs. With RVs making up 88% of the total RV production, the need for pull-through charging stations becomes even more evident.
The future seems promising for the RV industry with the integration of EVs. Electrified motorized RVs and electric assist trailers are on the horizon, emphasizing the need for forward-thinking in the design of charging infrastructures, as per the News & Insights report of the RVIA.
Economic implications also play a significant role in this push for pull-through charging. While the initial investment might be on the higher side, the returns are promising. Rano pointed out that RVers would frequent these charging stations more often due to the towing impact on an electric vehicle’s range.
This translates to them spending more time and money at these sites, benefiting the charging site hosts in the long run.
Efficiency is another advantage of pull-through charging. The alternative, without such stations, would see RVers either decoupling their trailers or blocking multiple charging spots, leading to inefficiencies and potential congestion.
As the nation stands on the cusp of an EV revolution, it’s imperative to ensure that all segments of the automotive industry, especially RVs, are catered to. The RV Industry Association’s efforts in this direction, backed by comprehensive reports and lobbying, aim to shape the future of EV charging infrastructure, ensuring a seamless transition for all.
