Electric RV Adventure Tests Florida's Tourism Infrastructure

A months-long electric RV expedition across Florida has put the spotlight on the state’s tourism infrastructure, revealing both opportunities and challenges for the growing number of eco-conscious travelers choosing electric recreational vehicles.

Kurt Mazurek recently completed a 30-day test of electric RV travel throughout Florida, combining fishing destinations with camping stops to evaluate whether current charging networks and campground facilities can support extended electric vehicle travel. The journey required careful planning around charging station availability, campground electrical capacity, and range limitations that traditional gas-powered RVs don’t face.

“The real challenge wasn’t the vehicle itself, but designing a route that balanced fishing opportunities, charging needs, and quality accommodations without turning every day into a hunt for power,” Mazurek noted in documenting the experience.

The expedition comes as Florida tourism continues its post-pandemic surge, with RV travel representing a significant segment of the state’s visitor economy. Florida’s RV parks and campgrounds reported strong occupancy rates throughout 2024, driven partly by travelers seeking more sustainable vacation options.

South Florida presented particular advantages for electric RV travel, with higher concentrations of charging infrastructure in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach county corridor. The region’s established network of luxury RV resorts and upgraded electrical systems at many campgrounds provided reliable charging options that proved more challenging in rural areas of the state.

KOA campgrounds emerged as a consistent solution throughout the Florida journey, offering predictable amenities and electrical hookups at strategic locations. The national chain’s presence throughout the state provided what Mazurek described as “reliable, safe, accessible places to stay” that eliminated much of the uncertainty around electric RV charging.

From a hospitality perspective, the test highlighted infrastructure gaps that could limit Florida’s appeal to the growing electric RV market. While metropolitan areas like South Florida, Tampa, and Orlando offer robust charging networks, rural destinations popular with anglers and outdoor enthusiasts often lack adequate fast-charging options.

The fishing component of the journey showcased Florida’s diverse angling opportunities, from the tarpon waters around Islamorada to freshwater bass fishing in Central Florida. However, accessing remote fishing spots proved challenging with an electric RV’s limited range, requiring strategic base camping and day trips rather than the spontaneous mobility traditional RV travelers enjoy.

Range anxiety proved justified on longer travel days between destinations. Florida’s vast distances between major metropolitan areas—the 470-mile stretch from Key West to Pensacola, for instance—demand careful route planning and charging station mapping that gas-powered RVs can ignore.

The test also revealed seasonal considerations unique to Florida electric RV travel. Summer’s intense heat increases air conditioning demands, reducing overall range and requiring longer charging stops. Hurricane season presented additional challenges, as evacuation routes and emergency planning become more complex when dependent on charging infrastructure that may lose power.

Campground operators throughout Florida are taking notice of electric RV trends. Many are upgrading electrical systems and adding 50-amp service to accommodate larger electric RVs, while some are installing dedicated EV charging stations for guests.

“We’re seeing more requests for higher-capacity electrical hookups,” said a spokesperson for the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. “The infrastructure investment is significant, but properties that can accommodate electric RVs are positioning themselves for a growing market segment.”

The 30-day test coincided with several major RV manufacturers announcing new electric models, suggesting the market will expand significantly over the next few years. Florida’s position as a leading RV destination means the state’s infrastructure development could influence whether electric RVs become mainstream or remain niche.

For Travel & Hospitality industry observers, the expedition highlighted both the potential and limitations of electric RV tourism in Florida. While urban corridors and established RV destinations can adequately support electric travel, the state’s vast rural areas and remote natural attractions remain challenging for battery-powered recreation.

The practical implications for travelers considering electric RV adventures in Florida center on trip planning and flexibility. Success requires advance reservations at campgrounds with adequate electrical service, daily range calculations factoring in air conditioning and terrain, and backup plans for charging delays or equipment failures.

Fishing enthusiasts face particular trade-offs, as electric RVs excel at providing quiet, emission-free base camps but struggle with the spontaneous mobility that fishing often demands. The solution appears to be longer stays at strategic locations rather than constant movement following fish migrations or weather patterns.

As Florida’s tourism industry continues recovering and evolving, electric RV travel represents both an opportunity and infrastructure challenge. Properties and destinations that can accommodate electric travelers may capture an environmentally conscious market segment willing to pay premium rates for sustainable travel options.

The 30-day test ultimately demonstrated that electric RV travel in Florida is feasible but requires more planning than traditional RV trips. For travelers willing to trade spontaneity for sustainability, the state offers compelling destinations and improving infrastructure to support electric adventures.