Ocean Lakes Family Campground had the first electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on the Carolinas coast! Ocean Lakes built its EV stations as part of its award-winning iCare Program which is aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the campground and its guests. Our four Level 2 EV Charging Stations are open to Ocean Lakes guests only.
In 2011, Ocean Lakes was one of only two locations east of I-95 in South Carolina that has EV stations available for public use. According to the U. S. Department of Energy, there were only 30 EV stations in S.C in 2011. The closest to the coast was Monks Corner which is 77 miles southwest of Ocean Lakes or Lumberton, N.C. which is 95 miles north of Ocean Lakes.
The “How” and “When”
“Building the EV Charging Stations was an easy decision because it fits right in with our iCare Program,” said Barb Krumm, Director of Marketing and Public Relations upon opening the EV Stations in January 2011. “The idea for the EV stations was inspired by an article our Ocean Lakes IT consultant forwarded to our management. At the same time, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) requested information from campgrounds that were catering to EVs. That piqued our interest and we set about researching EV technology.”
Ocean Lakes had all 859 campsites equipped with 50 amp/240-volt service to operate camper appliances and air conditioners. Upon learning that the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines 240 Volt AC charging as “Level 2” charging, management decided that they could affordably provide a site for someone to park on to charge an eco-friendly vehicle.
“It’s a win-win to help someone who is trying to help our environment,” Krumm said in 2011. “Research also helped us determine that accommodating East Coast travelers with this new eco-friendly technology made good sense. We felt that establishing a charging station location at an oceanfront destination about 75 miles from I-95 would be good business as well.”
With the addition of the EV stations to its iCare program, Ocean Lakes covers a broad range of transportation alternatives that meet both consumer needs and promote some smart “green” options. Rentals of golf cars, which have proven to be the most popular electric transportation inside Ocean Lakes, are a strong revenue source for the campground, as well as an important amenity for guests.
The iCare Program
Ocean Lakes Family Campground’s iCare Program continues to expand. Guests and teammates had recycled more than 2.8 million pounds of solid waste since 2010. Ocean Lakes’ landscaping department’s composter produces mulch and fertilizer for the flower beds. Solar-heated water is being tested at one of the bathhouses to determine how much water and gas it saves.