It's a little known fact, that you can actually use certain electrical vehicle (EV) charging points to provide power to motorhomes. This special adaptor safely converts the EV socket to a standard camping connector. It plugs into any type 2 EV socket, which are the most common EV connector across the UK and Europe, and then connects to the hook-up lead.
It will only work with chargers which have a socket, not those which have a tethered lead with the EV connector on the end e.g. fast chargers.
The amount per kWh varies between providers, with the highest being at fast chargers. As the adaptor works with slower type 2 only points and the unit will only charge for the energy used, this keeps costs to a minimum. For longer road trips where solar alone is not sufficient, the use of EV chargers can prove significantly cheaper than other options, such as renting a pitch for the night.
Please see our guide for the definitive source of information on connecting caravans and motorhomes to campsites, domestic sockets, generators and EV charging points across the UK, Europe and Scandinavia.
Operation:
Normally an EV automatically communicate with the charger to tell it to charge. The adaptor requires the use of two switches to manually send these messages using the following procedure:
- Turn switches A and B on the adaptor to the off position.
- Plug the unit to be powered into the adaptor's socket.
- Plug the adaptor into a type 2 charging socket.
- Turn switch A ON to tell the charging station that the car is connected. Where the charger features a locking mechanism, it will lock the connector in place.
- Immediately turn switch B ON to tell the charging station to start charging.
- To release the cable when charging is complete turn OFF switch B, followed by switch A.
Some charging stations do not require this procedure to be followed; they simply start charging when the adapter is connected with both switches in the on position.