Camp’n & Charge’n
In early 2017 the Internet was taken by storm with a concept for a new microbus from Volkswagen called the I.D. BUZZ that would ultimately become a platform for an electric camper. It’s quite beautiful, however what’s far more compelling is the new class of vehicle this idea creates. I had been interested in trading in my commuter vehicle for an electric, and I had also been considering an extra vehicle, built for camping and to support various adventures. The idea of hitting two birds with one stone, an economical daily driver with all your weekend warrior potential built in, kept me up at night. The benefit I obsessed over more than any other though was the idea of charging at 50 Amp RV spots, picking up a virtual tank of gas for free along with my lodging.
The US version wouldn’t arrive until the middle of 2024, which gave me time to look for alternatives for “Weaz-ing the Juice”. In this time overlanding in general was becoming more mainstream, which prompted Ford to introduce a gas-powered Transit Trail Van, but there was no guarantee of an electric version. When I learned about the Go Fast Camper from a buddy of mine, it was really just a matter of finding the right electric truck to go underneath it. Once I settled on the Ford F150 Lighting, I purchased both the same day, and started this electric overland journey.
Precious KiloWatts
When you consider State and U.S. Parks, Private campgrounds like KOA, and apps like Hipcamp, the number of slow charging stations opens up considerably. In the less EV-friendly parts of the country such as rural Appalachia, this is more than a frugal alternative; it’s a lifeline in a fast-charging desert. This map shows just some of the places in and around North Carolina where I like to grab a charge, a nap and a shower, close to my favorite activities like snowboarding, Onewheeling, and Stand Up Paddle-boarding.
I love to roll into an RV camp spot after dark, point the backend towards something interesting, and the next morning I wake up with a full charge and a view.
Does it save money on trips?
In my Is it Cheaper? blog I shared that I spend about 24 cents per mile on trips and much less for my daily commute. While it’s the cheapest F-150 to operate, I’m still no stranger to a $50 fuel bill when I need to top off. Most RV camp spots in North Carolina’s park system are cheaper than this; in fact I’ve added over 150 miles, gotten a shower and a good night’s sleep for $35! The KOAs are $60 and up, but the amenities can be worth it, and the availability is much better (you really need to book with the state parks a few months out). The important requirement is a 50 AMP, or “Full Hookup” campsite, because a regular 110v outlet would take at least four full days to add the same amount of charge as you can get overnight with a 50 AMP.
Like I said in my What I Wish I Knew? blog, you don’t really want to fast charge to 100%. So in addition to the cost benefit, rolling out to start the next leg of your journey with a full battery can really cut down on range anxiety and make you less dependent on that next fast charger.
