Looking for a Charge? Campground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Offers Two EV Plug-in Stations

Camp outside, enjoy nature—and charge your EV at the same time. According to The Sun News  of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the Ocean Lakes Family Campground has set up two charging stations for electric vehicles near the entrance of the mega oceanfront complex in Horry County.

The campground intends to serve guests who tow their electric cars to the beach and even non-guests who need a charge. Campground guests can charge for free, while others will pay $5 to get in the campground and can use the campground's snack bar, store, or other amenities while they wait the four hours for the charge.

It's not like EV owners have been lining up for charges at the campground. "We are just kind of planning ahead, setting the tone," said Kevin McWhirter, Ocean Lakes' Maintenance and Facilities Manager. "It's the up and coming."

In fact, Industry research shows that consumers like to go to parks that are environmentally friendly, which is an additional benefit to parks that invest in green practices,” according to the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds in Centennial, Colorado.

In fact, plugging in has gotten so trendy that the national association is compiling a list of campgrounds that offer EV chargers that will be posted on its website  within a year, said Marketing Director Kera Tomlin.

The two charging stations at Ocean Lakes, which cost $3,000 to install, are the first in the area, though more should be installed by August through Plug In Carolina. Eight more stations through Plug In Carolina are in the works for Horry County, including ones at Coastal Carolina University, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, at the library in Conway and in North Myrtle Beach, said Jim Poch, Executive Director of Plug In Carolina, which promotes electric vehicles and arranges for the installation of the charging stations.

industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation of Amsterdam was chosen by Plug In Carolina to supply and support the network of public EV charging stations in eight South Carolina cities. The implementation of the charging network is underway to support the variety of new EVs entering the roadways. The project was previously awarded to another firm but has been reassigned to Eaton (News - Alert) as they have the ability to meet the immediate needs of the project.

“This is a perfect opportunity for Eaton to demonstrate its commitment and capabilities to support the development of charging electrical infrastructures that will assist EV drivers to confidently go about their daily business, without being overly concerned about how they will charge their vehicles ” said Rich Stinson, President, Power Distribution Operations – Americas, Eaton’s Electrical Sector. “We’re eager to provide Eaton’s comprehensive solutions to ensure that Plug In Carolina’s public electric vehicle program continues to move forward in a timely manner and continue to support the communities in South Carolina.”

For Ocean Lakes, the charging stations were a no-brainer, spokeswoman Barb Krumm said. It fit with the complex's desire to reduce its environmental impact and seemed like a natural for a business where plugs are everywhere. Ocean Lakes also aims to be a charging spot for drivers traveling long distances north and south through the coastal Carolinas.

"It's kind of a natural for campgrounds," Krumm said. "It fits really well with our industry."

Officials at Ocean Lakes and Plug In Carolina acknowledged that there aren't many of these cars on the roads yet, but said they are installing the stations now to be ready when there is more demand. And EV drivers need assurances that they'll have places to charge.

"It's the chicken or the egg," Poch said.

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