3 Tailgating Accessories That Are Ideal for Electric Trucks

Load up your EV truck or SUV with game-day gear and leave the generator at home.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Aug 5, 2024 | 3 min read

Ford

EVs Can Help With Cooking and Food Storage

One of the best tools for an EV tailgater is access to high-wattage power that opens up a much longer list of cooking appliances than a traditional inverter or battery pack could handle.

With multiple electrical outlets and up to 9.6 kilowatts of power, the battery-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck is powerful enough to handle a microwave oven, for example. But from a more practical perspective, consider the sheer quantity of gear you could plug in.

This can include a slow cooker — for a warm treat in the cool evening hours — plugged in at the same time as a blender that makes ice-cold drinks to deal with the afternoon's sweltering sun. You could also attach an electric grill so you don't have to deal with barbecue charcoal or propane canisters before and after your meals.

All that power can keep your food chilled and fresh, too. Vehicles such as the Lightning and the GMC Hummer EV truck and SUV offer generous frunk storage under the hood that can even serve as a temporary fridge if you fill it with ice.

One idea is to plug in a powered cooler using the vehicle's forward electrical outlets, which is a much cleaner and longer-lasting option than using a generator or similar. You can even keep it running while you're in your seat watching the game, so you'll have a refreshing beverage waiting for you afterward.

Tailgate With the Convenience of TV and Wi-Fi Connectivity

Big-screen televisions typically require a lot of power, but that's not a problem for some modern EVs designed to deliver enough electricity to keep an entire household running for days. Mounting a large TV on your SUV's tailgate or in the bed of your battery-powered truck can help you stay in touch with what's happening in the stadium without even heading inside.

You won't have access to a cable connection in the parking lot, but you can run a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot from your vehicle's power port, a convenience for streaming entertainment while you wait for the main festivities. If you prefer satellite TV, you can incorporate a mobile receiver dish (as seen on recreational vehicles) to grab a game-day signal.

Heating and Cooling Can Be Provided by EV Power

On a hot day, your EV can power rotary or misting fans. This doesn't just help you and your friends cool down. It can also work to keep mosquitoes from biting. If you're tailgating after the event while you wait for traffic to die down — or if you're dealing with overcast winter or chilly fall weather — a space heater is another plug-in climate control option that elevates the EV tailgating experience above the internal-combustion competition.

Benjamin Hunting

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it's not leaking, it's probably empty.