There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you wake up in the Flinders Ranges or pull into a secluded spot along the Ningaloo Coast. Usually, that magic is slightly interrupted by the rhythmic thump-thump-thump of a neighbor’s diesel generator or the frantic hissing of a gas cooker that’s decided to play up just as the sun goes down.

But as we roll into 2026, the “great Aussie road trip” has had a serious upgrade.

At EV Evolution, we’ve seen the skeptical looks at the caravan parks. We’ve heard the “you can’t take those things into the bush” comments. But today, those voices are getting quieter, mostly because they’re being drowned out by the sound of… well, absolutely nothing.

Welcome to the era of EV camping in Australia. If you’ve got a car with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), you aren’t just driving a vehicle; you’re driving a high-capacity, off-grid power station that makes the old dual-battery setups of 2022 look like a AA battery in a torch.

⚡ The Magic of V2L: Your Power Point on Wheels

For the uninitiated, V2L is the game-changer. It’s a feature that allows your car to discharge its battery through a standard 240V three-pin plug. In 2026, it’s no longer a “luxury” add-on; it’s becoming the standard for any serious Aussie tourer.

Think about it. Instead of lugging around heavy gas bottles (which are a nightmare during fire bans) or expensive portable power stations, you just plug your gear directly into your car. We’re talking about electric car off-grid power that can run a coffee machine, a hairdryer, or—most importantly—an induction cooktop in the middle of a National Park.

🦈 The 2026 Heavy Hitters: BYD Shark 6 and Kia EV9

This year, two vehicles have completely redefined what it means to go bush with a battery.

The BYD Shark 6: The Tradie’s Ute Goes Bush

The BYD Shark 6 has landed in Australia with a splash, and it’s a ripper for campers. Being a plug-in hybrid with a massive EV-only range and serious V2L capabilities, it bridges the gap for those who still have a bit of “range anxiety” but want the “electric lifestyle.”

The Shark 6 offers multiple power outlets in the tray. You can have your fridge running 24/7 in the back, and when you hit camp, you can plug in your V2L camping gear without even thinking about your battery level. It’s rugged, it’s got the torque for the sand, and it’s basically a mobile workshop turned campsite.

The Kia EV9: The Electric Lounge Room

On the other side of the fence is the Kia EV9. This thing is a beast. With a battery pack pushing 100kWh in the upper trims, it has enough juice to power a small suburban house for days, let alone a weekend at Wilson’s Prom.

The EV9 is the ultimate family tourer. Because it’s built on a dedicated EV platform, the interior space is massive. But the real win is the internal and external V2L ports. You can be running a cinema projector for the kids on the side of the tent while you’re inside brewing a flat white.

🍳 The Ultimate V2L Camping Kit

So, what does an “EV Evolution” approved campsite look like in 2026? It’s cleaner, safer, and a lot more comfortable.

• The Induction Cooktop: Say goodbye to “did I leave the gas on?” anxiety. A portable single-burner induction cooktop costs about $80 and boils water in half the time of gas. It’s flameless, which means you can often keep cooking even when total fire bans are in place.
• The Digital Nomad Setup: With Starlink becoming the go-to for Aussie travelers, power consumption is the only hurdle. A Starlink Dishy pulls about 50-75 watts. On a 75kWh EV battery, you could run Starlink 24/7 for a month and still have enough range to drive to the next town.
• The 12V Fridge: Forget ice. A high-quality fridge/freezer is a “set and forget” item when it’s plugged into an EV. Because the car’s battery is so enormous, the tiny draw of a fridge doesn’t even move the needle on your range display.

🗺️ Managing Your Range in the Middle of Nowhere

The biggest question we get at EV Evolution is: “Won’t I get stranded if I cook too many snags?”

Let’s do the “fair dinkum” math.

A typical induction cooktop uses about 1.5kWh to cook a full meal. A 24-hour run of a camping fridge uses about 0.5kWh to 1kWh. If you have a 75kWh battery (like in a Model 3 or a base EV9), using 5kWh over a whole weekend for “lifestyle” stuff only uses about 6-7% of your total battery. In 2026, the real secret to EV camping is the “Solar Sandwich.” Many Aussie campers are now carrying lightweight, folding solar blankets. You plug the solar into a portable power station, which tops up your car, or you use the car’s own solar roof if you’ve got a high-spec model. It’s a closed-loop system that feels like you’re winning at life.

🤝 Join the Evolution

At EV Evolution, we believe that the best way to protect the Australian bush is to see it without leaving a trace—or a cloud of exhaust fumes. The shift to electric camping isn’t about “roughing it” less; it’s about “enjoying it” more. No noise, no smell, and no expensive fuel runs.

We know that making the switch from a kitted-out diesel 70-Series to an electric rig is a big move. You’ve probably got a thousand questions about plug types, inverter limits, and which campsites in Tassie or the Kimberley have the best charging setups.

That’s exactly why we built our thought partner. We’ve fed it every piece of Aussie-specific EV data we can find—from the power draw of a Kmart air fryer to the location of every ultra-rapid charger on the Nullarbor.

Ready to crunch the numbers for your next trip?

Don’t guess how much battery you’ll have left after a week in the scrub. Get the facts so you can head off with total confidence.

Start a conversation with the EV Evolution AI chatbot right now.

Try asking: “How many days can I run a camping fridge and an induction cooktop off a 75kWh EV battery?” or “Which V2L adapter do I need for a 2026 Kia EV9?”

The Verdict: 2026 is the Year of the Silent Camper

The “Old Guard” might still love the smell of diesel in the morning, but for the rest of us, the future of EV camping in Australia is looking bright, quiet, and very well-fed. Whether you’re eyeing off the rugged utility of the BYD Shark 6 or the luxury of the Kia EV9, the message is clear: the bush is calling, and you finally have the power to answer it.

About EV Evolution

EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.