The United States is currently at a pivotal point in history, with the opportunity to reshape the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape to support future innovation and drive EV adoption.
As the federal government allocates $5 billion for a national fast-charging network and an additional $2.5 billion for rural and urban communities, it is crucial to consider the needs of a significant automotive segment: recreational vehicles (RVs).
The RV Industry Association (RVIA, in collaboration with engineering firm Black & Veatch, has released a new report emphasizing the importance and value of establishing more RV-accessible EV infrastructure, particularly pull-through charging stations.
The report provides responders with the business case, crucial drawings, reasonings, and cost analysis information surrounding the need for pull-through electric RV charging stations, as per the News & Insights report of the RVIA.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in 2021, has led to the deployment of $5 billion for states to build a fast-charging network across the country.
States have developed plans for spending the funds and are in various stages of releasing RFPs for site hosts to respond to with their specific proposals for utilizing the money to deploy DC fast chargers.
“Decision makers, charging companies, and site hosts should deploy charging stations that fit all use cases, including those of RVs,” said RVIA Government Affairs Vice President Jason Rano.
He pointed out that the use case for pull-through charging for RVs already exists with electric vehicles, such as the Rivian R1T and Ford F150 Lightning, pulling towable RVs—which make up 88% of the RV production.
“While pull-through charging will likely require more investment, our economic analysis shows that site hosts could recoup that investment in just a few years. Customers with e-RVs and EVs towing RVs will seek out pull-through charging, ultimately spending more time and money at charging sites and the associated amenities,” Rano said.
The report also confirms that pull-through charging leads to more efficient use of pull-in charging.
Without pull-through charging, electric vehicles with towable RVs would either have to decouple and park the trailer somewhere or, along with other medium and heavy-duty vehicles, they would potentially pull across multiple charging spots and block chargers.
The RV industry has developed this report to aid decision makers and site hosts as they make critical decisions that will shape EV charging infrastructure for years to come. The installation of RV-accessible EV charging stations is not just a necessity but a strategic move that can bring in more customers and revenue to campgrounds.
The push for more RV-accessible EV charging stations is a significant step towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. As the RV industry continues to evolve with the advent of electric vehicles, it is crucial for campgrounds and holiday parks to adapt and cater to the needs of this growing segment.