If you’ve ever pulled onto a campsite in your electric car and wondered whether you can plug into the site’s hook-up point, the answer is yes, with the right ev charging cable for caravan use. UK campsites and caravan parks supply power via a blue 16A IEC 60309 Commando socket, and your EV’s Type 2 inlet is the other end of the equation. The cable that bridges them is straightforward, but the campsite EHU reality (shared breakers, limited headroom, pitch etiquette) takes a little more explaining.
What cable do you need to charge an EV at a caravan site?
To charge an EV at a UK caravan site, you need a Type 2 to 16A blue Commando cable, sometimes called a Type 2-to-Commando or EV campsite lead. One end plugs into your car’s Type 2 inlet; the other connects to the blue IEC 60309 Commando socket on the EHU pillar. No adaptors, no extension leads between. Just one dedicated cable.
Every EV sold in the UK since approximately 2018 uses a Type 2 inlet (defined by IEC 62196-2), so compatibility at the car end is rarely an issue. The campsite end is equally consistent: virtually every UK caravan park and campsite EHU pillar uses the blue 16A IEC 60309 Commando socket. This is not a coincidence: the socket is rated for outdoor use, is weatherproof to IP44 or better, and its keyed design means the plug can only be inserted in the correct orientation. Buy the right cable and it simply works.
For a deeper look at both connectors, including cable construction, rated temperatures, and the difference between 16A and 32A Commando, see our full guide to Type 2-to-Commando cables.
- Left side: Type 2 female connector, 7-pin layout (L1, N, PE, PP, CP, L2, L3); note single-phase uses L1/N/PE/PP/CP only; standard IEC 62196-2. Right side: blue 16A IEC 60309 Commando male, 3-pin (L, N, PE); colour blue = single-phase 230V 16A. Both rated 16A / 230V. Cable labelled Type 2-to-Commando EV charging lead.
Understanding the blue Commando socket: IEC 60309 explained
The blue socket on your campsite EHU pillar is not a proprietary caravan industry fitting. It is a standardised industrial connector defined by IEC 60309, the international standard for plugs, socket-outlets, and couplers for industrial purposes. The standard is sometimes called “Commando” in the UK trade, after the brand name that popularised the format.
IEC 60309 uses colour coding to indicate voltage and phase: blue denotes single-phase 230V at up to 16A, yielding a maximum theoretical output of 3.7 kW. Red denotes three-phase at 32A, a 22 kW connection used in workshops, industrial premises, and some rapid-charge installations. If you are reading about EV charging for trade or workshop use with a 32A red Commando, that is an entirely different cable and circuit. For a caravan pitch, blue 16A is always the correct specification.
The keyed, round design of the IEC 60309 connector means water cannot ingress easily, and the locking ring on higher-grade sockets prevents accidental disconnection. The IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation, 5th edition (2023) recognises portable EV charging via Mode 2 leads into suitable industrial sockets as a legitimate charging method, provided the socket and cable are correctly rated.
The campsite EHU reality: why you won’t always get 3.7 kW
Most UK campsite pitches are rated at 16A, but the circuit breaker protecting each pitch is often set to 10A or 16A and is shared with your caravan’s lighting, fridge, and heating. In practice, the effective charging power available to your EV is typically around 3 kW or less, not the full 3.7 kW the cable is rated for.
This is the most important thing to understand before you arrive on site. The EHU socket may be rated at 16A, but if the pitch breaker is set to 10A (common on older or more densely occupied sites), the total combined draw from every appliance on your pitch, including your car, cannot exceed 10A. Your car’s fridge alone might draw 1-2A; a small electric heater can pull 6-8A. Start charging at full tilt and you will trip the breaker within minutes.
Additionally, some sites run their entire field from a shared transformer with limited overall capacity. Even where individual pitch breakers are rated at 16A, the site might ask EV owners to restrict draw at peak times. Always check with reception on arrival.
- Pitch supply box (labelled Site supply: 10-16A breaker, shared with all pitch appliances) → arrow → blue Commando socket on EHU pillar → Type 2-to-Commando cable (labelled) → EV Type 2 inlet. Annotation bubble: Set charge rate to 10A to leave headroom for caravan appliances. Speed callout box: At 10A = ~2.3 kW = ~8 miles/hr added range; At 16A = ~3.7 kW = ~15 miles/hr added range. Caravan shown branching from same pitch supply with label Fridge / lighting / heating sharing the same breaker.
How to use your cable safely: pitch etiquette and current settings
Set your car’s onboard charger to a maximum of 10A before you begin. This leaves several amps of headroom for the caravan’s appliances and reduces the risk of tripping the pitch breaker. If the site has a shared supply or your pitch breaker is only 10A, start there and increase only if the site manager confirms more capacity is available.
Beyond the amp setting, a few simple habits make campsite EV charging much smoother for everyone:
Charge overnight. Caravan appliance load drops significantly once everyone is asleep: the kettle, the microwave, and the TV are all off. Overnight is the ideal window to run your EV charger, as the available headroom is at its maximum.
Never charge while the kettle or heater is running. A 2 kW kettle and a 10A EV charge rate will exceed a 16A pitch breaker immediately. Develop the habit of pausing charging when you need high-draw appliances, then resuming once the kettle has boiled or the toast is made.
Tell reception you are charging an EV. Some sites actively restrict EV charging or apply a surcharge. Informing staff on arrival is both courteous and practical. They can confirm your pitch’s breaker rating and flag any site-wide restrictions. The IET Code of Practice for EV Charging Equipment Installation, 5th edition (2023) emphasises that semi-public and temporary charging scenarios benefit from operator awareness, precisely because load management is critical.
Inspect the EHU socket before plugging in. Check for visible damage, standing water, or insecure fixings. If anything looks wrong, use a different pitch or ask the site team to inspect it.
How long will it take to charge at a campsite?
At 10A on a campsite hook-up, your EV charges at roughly 2.3 kW, adding around 8 miles of range per hour. At the full 16A (where the pitch and your car allow it), that rises to approximately 3.7 kW, or about 15 miles per hour. Overnight charging of 8-10 hours at 10A typically adds 60-80 miles, which covers most holiday driving.
To put those numbers in context:
| Charge rate | Power | Range added per hour | Range after 8 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10A (recommended) | ~2.3 kW | ~8 miles | ~64 miles |
| 13A | ~3.0 kW | ~10 miles | ~80 miles |
| 16A (max) | ~3.7 kW | ~15 miles | ~120 miles |
These figures assume a reasonably efficient family EV. Larger battery SUVs will see fewer miles per kWh; smaller city cars will see more. A campsite hook-up is not a rapid charger, but for topping up overnight after a day’s driving, it is adequate.
If you are planning a longer European trip and need to understand other slow-charge socket types on the continent, our guide to charging your EV in Europe with a Schuko lead covers the German-standard socket found on many European sites.
Marinas and holiday parks: the same blue socket
The IEC 60309 blue 16A Commando socket is not unique to caravan parks. UK marina berths almost universally use the same fitting for shore power, and many holiday parks, glamping sites, and outdoor event venues are wired identically. If you can see a blue round socket on a pillar, your Type 2-to-Commando cable will plug straight in.
Marina use carries one specific additional consideration: berth breakers can vary more widely than campsite pitch breakers. Some berths are 16A; older or smaller marinas may run at 10A or even 6A per berth. Before you start charging, ask the marina office for the berth amperage. Set your car accordingly, and the same overnight-charge strategy applies. The blue socket is identical; the available current may not be.
Choosing the right cable: length, IP rating, and quality
For most campsite pitches, a 5 m cable is adequate. The EHU pillar is typically positioned at the edge of the pitch, and 5 m comfortably reaches most car charging inlets. If you frequently use sites with awkward pitch layouts, particularly those where the EHU pillar is at the far end of the pitch from the road, consider a 7 m cable. For very long runs, we stock extension leads in our ev-cable-extensions collection, but be aware that using an extension increases resistance slightly and should only be used if the pitch cable itself is insufficient.
On IP rating: IEC 60309 connectors are inherently rated for outdoor use, but the cable assembly itself should be rated IP55 or better. IP55 means the cable withstands rain, splashing, and general outdoor exposure. All of the Type 2-to-Commando cables we stock at EV Cable Hub carry IP55 or higher, with a minimum 2-year warrantyed lines.
Finally, cable gauge matters. A 16A cable must be built with conductors rated for continuous 16A draw, typically 2.5 mm² for the power conductors. Undersized conductors will heat under sustained load. Every cable we sell is independently tested to confirm it meets or exceeds its rated current continuously, not just momentarily.
Frequently asked questions
What cable do I need to charge my EV at a caravan site?
You need a Type 2 to 16A blue Commando cable: one end fits your car’s Type 2 inlet, the other plugs into the blue IEC 60309 Commando socket on the EHU pillar. Make sure the cable is IP55-rated or better for outdoor use, and choose a length of at least 5 m to reach the EHU point comfortably from most pitch positions.
Can I charge my EV on a campsite EHU?
Yes, as long as the site permits it. Always check with reception before plugging in, as some sites restrict or surcharge EV charging. You will need a Type 2-to-Commando cable, and you should set your car’s charge rate to 10A or below to avoid overloading the shared pitch supply and tripping the breaker.
How long does it take to charge an EV on a campsite hook-up?
At 10A (the recommended campsite setting), your EV charges at around 2.3 kW, adding approximately 8 miles of range per hour. An overnight session of 8-10 hours typically adds 60-80 miles. At the full 16A, if the pitch and the car permit it, you will see around 3.7 kW and roughly 15 miles per hour.
What is the blue socket at a caravan site?
The blue socket is a 16A single-phase IEC 60309 Commando socket, the same industrial standard used on construction sites, marinas, and outdoor event venues across the UK and Europe. It is rated for outdoor use, weatherproof, and keyed so only the correct plug can be inserted. The blue colour specifically denotes single-phase 230V at up to 16A under IEC 60309.
Will charging my EV trip the campsite electric?
It can, if you do not manage the load carefully. UK pitches often have a 10A or 16A breaker shared with the caravan’s appliances. Running the kettle, space heating, or an electric hob at the same time as EV charging is the most common cause of tripped pitch breakers on site. Set the car to charge at 10A and avoid running high-draw appliances simultaneously to stay well within the breaker limit.
Do marinas have EV charging?
Most UK marina berths use the same blue 16A IEC 60309 Commando sockets as campsite EHU pillars, so the same Type 2-to-Commando cable applies directly. The same current-limit advice holds: check the berth breaker rating with the marina office before you start charging, and set your charge rate accordingly to avoid tripping the berth supply.
Take a look at Type 2 to Type 2 charging cables.