KOA to start installing J1772 on campground pedestals for charging electric vehicles.

[Jim]

Here’s a shot of a screen on a DC fast charger a block from my house. They won’t have DC fast chargers in campgrounds but L2 stations are setup the same. They are usually priced by the hour at L2 stations.

Some countries and some states have per kWh sales. I seem to remember charging California and seeing a per kWh rate. But in my experience most are time based.

View attachment 10024

How long does it take at $.25 per minute to charge your batteries?

 

[Voyageurs]

I'll have to check and see if I have enough current to "Y" off to a charging station for each site, or at least a couple of the largest sites. But then, I'm faced with other difficulties, like limited Internet and -0- cell service. Which I'm sure is necessary to make charging for the charge possible.

Or just make a rule that says one thing plugged into the standard pedestal at a time. They are welcome to charge their EV but they have to use their own EVSE (charge cord) and plug it into the 50 amp or 30 amp receptacle. When they are done charging them they can plug in their RV. As an EVRVer that would work for me. Those charge stations on the site are nice but any EV can charge from a 30 or 50 amp pedestal.

You could also just add half a dozen L2 stations in a parking area. Charge by the usage. Maybe 20 bucks a day for a car or SUV and 40 bucks a day for a truck. You’ll make some money and the client will be happy. We would pay that. The equipment is cheap. No idea on the hookup costs but count on a 60 amp breaker for each stall. Below is a pic of what one campground owner here did. These stations are about 1200 bucks each. These are low tech. Built in the US. No card readers or phone lines. Just a 60 amp breaker. He has two of these. He’ll add more when needed.

 

[Jim]

Well, let's put it to the "viability" test. How many on this forum will use my charging system if I install one?

Note: Keep in mind that if you say you will, and then you don't show up, you will be billed the minimal 3-night booking fee!

 

[Voyageurs]

How long does it take at $.25 per minute to charge your batteries?

These are relatively slow 50 KW DC fast chargers you would find at a grocery store or mall etc. We don’t use these much. I would think 40 to 60 minutes. We tend to use Superchargers on road trips which are 5 times faster but also charge more. We do most of our charging at home in our garage for a fraction of the price. 9 cents per kilowatt hour here.

In a campground you would only have L2 charging (alternating current) not L3 charging (DC fast charging). L3 equipment is ten’s of thousands of dollars per site. L2 stations are anywhere from 1200 to 2000 bucks per site. People don’t need fast when they are staying overnight.

 

[Voyageurs]

Well, let's put it to the "viability" test. How many on this forum will use my charging system if I install one?

Right now very few if any. In 10 years probably a lot.

The reality is any RV site with 50 amp has everything the EVRVer needs to charge. When we were motorhoming with a EV toad we simply asked permission and agreed upon a price. Some just said go ahead. Others didn’t know what to charge. It was all new. The campground owner should be able to make money off of this. Like I say. I would be happy to pay 20 bucks for an overnight charge. If my present EV SUV was dead empty and I filled it up in your park and you were paying the utility company 10 cents per kilowatt hour it would cost you 8 dollars to fill my car. So charge 20 bucks and you are 12 bucks ahead. If it was one of those ford e-trucks that are coming out then it would be twice as much as it has twice as big of a battery.

Also, if that truck was staying a week he only needs that big fill the first day he is there. So charge maybe 40 bucks the first night and 10 bucks every night after for charging privileges.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jim]

There better not be a generator in that building!

 

[Voyageurs]

There better not be a generator in that building!

No. Lawnmower storage if I remember correctly. It’s been a couple years since we were there.

 

[Jim]

No. Lawnmower storage if I remember correctly. It’s been a couple years since we were there.

DC lawnmowers I presume?

 

[Neal]

I wouldn't say all KOA's are going to do this as some KOA's are really old and many CG's don't have the infrastructure to support RV's much less EV's. Niagara Falls comes to mind when I was there in a July I think it was and it was constant brown/black outs.

@Jim I think a CG like yours a single station would suffice, not per campsite. And the user would have to pay. I've venture to guess learn how Tesla charging stations are going to handle payment, they're not all free from what I hear. In fact if you're not too far off the beaten path you could possibly advertise Tesla charging on what I assume Tesla would have listed as charging stations and have another revenue option. But again, I would not do per site, but just have one station for now if you're really considering doing this.

But yeah, what is the flat tow capability? I've had a little of the Tesla bug but have been holding off. We haven't gotten to the point with Tesla's where it's time for battery replacement. Owners probably think it's maintenance free. Wait until they're quoted a battery replacement or whatever else with batteries.

 

[Ernie Ekberg]

I’ll keep my gas guzzling 2021 Lexus