Electric Adventures: Your EV Camping Guide

Taking a road trip in an electric vehicle (EV) used to be impossible—the car battery wouldn’t last long enough and there was nowhere to stop and charge it when it died. However, in the last 10 years, EV use has increased across America, which means fast charging stations are more accessible than ever.

Even better, EV drivers can now combine their eco-friendly transportation with outdoor adventures—a camping road trip in an EV is actually easier than one might think, especially in electric cars that offer camping-friendly features like climate control, flat-folding seats, and the option to use the car’s electricity to power camping equipment. Whether you’re headed to the ocean or the mountains, electric cars offer campers a new way to road trip and camp along the way—one with the chance to explore the vast wilderness with quiet operation and zero emissions.

Pros and cons of camping with your EV

As with any outdoor trip, EV camping has its pros and cons.

Advantages of electric car camping

1. Leaving it better with zero emissions

One of the biggest pluses of electric car camping is the reduced environmental impact. EVs have zero emissions and a reduced carbon footprint (compared to gas-powered vehicles), making them the easy choice for leaving it better. The quiet operation means the sounds of local wildlife don’t have to compete with the noise of an internal combustion engine so you can better immerse yourself in nature.

2. New camping-friendly features

Many electric vehicles now come with features and modes that are great for camping adventures. The best EV for camping depends on your needs, preferences, and budget.

• The Subaru Solterra is the company’s first full-electric vehicle. In line with Subaru’s rugged heritage, the AWD Solterra boasts 8.3 inches of ground clearance, cold-weather charging, and the dual-function X-MODE to tackle snow, dirt, and mud. Committed to preserving natural spaces, Subaru is the National Park Foundation’s largest corporate donor. 
• Tesla’s Camp Mode, standard on all models, is great for sleeping in your vehicle. The climate control system maintains a steady interior temperature and keeps air circulating to prevent window fogging. The interior lighting and infotainment system remain functional during Camp Mode too.
• The Rivian R1T has an optional pull-out camp kitchen with an induction cooktop and sink, along with a gear tunnel for extra storage.
• Hyundai and Kia EV models, like the IONIQ 5 and EV9, offer a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function. With a V2L adapter, the EV charging port transforms into a high-voltage power outlet. This is perfect for powering small appliances like blenders, heaters, and even air fryers while on the road.

3. Cost savings

EV charging is generally more cost-effective than purchasing gas. If the charging network lacks coverage in your preferred area, some state parks and private campgrounds may offer power outlets for your level 1 charger. Or you can add a few more miles of range and keep the electrons flowing by using solar panels. 

4. Creative storage space

Lastly, some electric vehicles offer adaptable storage spaces, such as a front trunk (or “frunk”) under the hood where the gas engine is typically located. This provides extra space for stowing camping gear and extra supplies.

Challenges of camping with an electric vehicle

Range anxiety continues to be one of the most common concerns for EV drivers—and electric car camping is no exception. If you can’t find electrical hookups or charging stations nearby to recharge, your EV battery can run out of power.

Unless you find fast chargers like the Tesla Supercharger network, level 1 and 2 chargers take much longer than refueling a gas vehicle. It’s important to plan your EV road-trip itinerary around charging infrastructure and remember that factors, such as cold weather, can cut miles of range and slow charging times.

Some other cons of EV car camping can include:

• Higher initial cost to purchase the vehicle
• Fewer off-road capabilities compared to gas trucks
• Lower towing capacities (However, some electric trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning can tow up to 10,000 pounds, and the Tesla Model Y can tow camping trailers up to 3,500 pounds.)

Putting together an ideal EV camping setup

A successful electric car camping trip requires thoughtful preparation and the right equipment. Once you decide on your style, you can look into more specific gear and tips.

Types of EV camping

The EV camping experience can take on different forms. Here are some popular ways to go EV camping.

• Car camping is a convenient option. Reserve a campsite that allows you to park your vehicle and then fold down the seats to sleep in your EV (or set up a tent next to your car upon arrival). Depending on your electric car, you may choose to invest in a rooftop storage box to hold some camping gear and free up the interior space. 
• Rooftop tents are compatible with many EV models. Before you buy, check your car’s payload capacities. Just keep in mind that a roof-mounted box could reduce your EV’s range by 10–15 percent. 
• Truck bed campers can work just as well in electric trucks like the F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T as they do in their gas-powered equivalents. They are installed into the flatbed, either as a pop-up or hard-sided camper. Like rooftop tents, truck bed campers add weight and drag, which can reduce your EV’s range.
• Haul a travel trailer to the campsite if you have an EV with sufficient towing capacity. This allows for maximum space for sleeping and storing camping gear. Travel trailers can, however, make navigating narrow roads more challenging.

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Ways to make the most of your charge

Some EV camping prep may include:

• Packing a portable charging adapter in case you don’t find a public EV charging station 
• Investing in solar panels to partially charge your vehicle at the campsite
• Bringing lightweight camping gear to reduce the load and minimize the impact on your EV’s range
• Using a portable battery pack for small electronics, like your smartphone and tablet, instead of your car’s power source

Beginner tips for camping with your EV

Whether you’re camping in your electric vehicle for the first time or you’re considering buying the best EV you can find for camping, these tips will help you have a successful eco-friendly road trip.

• EV features: Look for foldable seats and versatile storage configurations to accommodate all your camping gear. Balance the need for camping-specific tech features, like those in Teslas and Rivians, with how much you’re willing to spend on the purchase of an EV.
• Range: Pay close attention to how many miles of range the EV gets in the real world—not just the size of the kWh battery. Long-range models may be worth the initial investment for the added convenience. Either way, think about everything that could affect your EV’s range, like cold weather, rugged terrain, and the added payload of a rooftop tent or camping trailer. 
• All-wheel drive: AWD and higher ground clearance can provide greater peace of mind when electric car camping in unpaved and remote areas. 
• Towing: Confirm the vehicle’s towing capacity and capability before investing in a camping trailer. Factor in any extra weight beyond the weight of the empty trailer.
• Tires: Consider purchasing all-terrain tires if you plan to do any off-road driving.
• Suspension: Check your electric vehicle’s suspension to see how it may handle rugged terrain—heavy bumps could damage your suspension. Also keep in mind that electric cars weigh more due to their large batteries, which may also affect suspension. 
• Charging stations: Plan your camping road trip route carefully, mapping out your preferred and backup charging stations along the way. Just use Hipcamp’s EV map layer to show nearby charging stations along any route. Arrive at your campsite as close to fully charged as possible, then plan to charge up on your overnight stops when possible. Also, prepare for possible off-grid scenarios with no public chargers nearby by bringing portable chargers or solar panels. And always have a plan in case you extend your stay.
• Sustainability: You’re already driving a low-emission vehicle. Now follow the key principles of Leave No Trace and strive to leave it better too.

How to plan an EV-friendly camping trip

Electric vehicle camping is an exciting frontier in outdoor recreation. And this eco-friendly travel option is becoming easier and easier. Not only do EVs now have camping-specific features, but campsites are now offering features geared toward EV campers too.

When you reserve a campsite on Hipcamp, you can use search filters for electric hookups and other essential amenities, like potable water and available wifi connectivity. The free map filter for EV chargers is also especially handy. Or, let us do the work for you and check out our list of EV-friendly road trip routes as well as our extensive car camping collection as you amp up for your next electrified escape into nature.

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