When it comes to environmental policy, California has long been at the vanguard. Beginning with the Environmental Quality Act in 1970, the Golden State has taken conservation and management of its considerable outdoor treasures — such as these underrated state parks — seriously. From laws focusing on water and air quality to statues designed to protect the coastline and regulations on single-use plastics, California has made safeguarding the environment a priority, and continues to do so.
As part of a statewide push to hit zero emissions by 2035 and transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2045, California is aiming to reduce the considerable pollution caused by small, gas-powered engines by phasing out these devices by 2028. Found in leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and gas-fueled generators, just a single hour of running one of these small combustion engines can emit the same amount of smog-creating pollutants as a car driving 300 miles.
With gas generators on their way out in California, the future of RVing in state parks or off-the-grid sites may seem uncertain. These camping vehicles often depend on electricity, and while losing generators may seem like a blow to some, there are luckily some more environmentally-friendly, up-and-coming alternatives that will keep the juice flowing through your rig while lightly impacting your surroundings.
What to know about the new law
Alternatives to consider
RVers are quite dependent on gas-powered generators when visiting one of the 280 state parks found throughout California — like this majestic, barely-visited gem. Only about half of these sites offer electrical hookups, which means campers have to employ generators to supply juice for their RVs much of the time. Even then — given the noise produced by the machines — there are strict rules as to when you can run a generator: Quiet time must be observed between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m.
When looking into alternatives to gas-powered generators, solar panels top the list. You can outfit your RV with permanent or portable solar power systems, which usually meet most of your vehicle’s wattage needs, including air-conditioning and refrigeration, though make sure to avoid this mistake to get the most out of your electric icebox. While the initial outlay may be a bit expensive (prices range from $500 to $10,000), once it’s all installed your RV will be completely self-sufficient, energy-wise, making wild dispersed camping — known as boondocking — a possibility.
The other main choice for power is batteries, which have come a long way in recent years. Lithium-iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO 4) are not only much lighter than conventional lead-acid batteries, but also offer up to three times the power, five times the charging speed, and ten times the lifespan. They’re also silent, which means you can fully enjoy the serenity found so often in California’s state parks, without the constant put-put of a generator ruining the mood.
