Do you know how you’ll power your promotional vehicle? You can’t rely on an idling engine, and while some venues allow generators on-site, others restrict the types of power you can use. That’s why it’s crucial to plan ahead and ask the right questions.
This article serves as a guide to getting power to your vehicle, for a promotional campaign that won’t let you down. We cover the options available, plus the key questions to ask so you can bring your vision to life.
What affects my power requirements?
All brand activations are different, and so are their power requirements. Factors include:
The type of activation
Free sampling typically uses a lot less power than cooking food from scratch from a kitchen setup. Even if you are planning a less power-intensive event, you still need to ensure there’s enough energy to accomplish your goals – whether it’s a number of ice creams handed out or a more complex audio / visual experience.
On-board appliances
Are you running high-voltage fryers, griddles and coffee machines, or do you just need some chiller fridges to make your campaign happen? The higher the voltage, the greater the electrical load – and this can influence your power setup.
The table lists common appliances and their wattage. As you can see, lights and fridge-freezers use fewer watts than fryers and ovens, so you’ll have more flexibility over how you power them.
| Appliance | Power (Watts/W) |
| Mobile Phone Charger | 12 |
| Microwave | 600-1,000 |
| Fridge/Freezer | 150-250 |
| Counter Top Fryer | 3,000 |
| Double Fryer | 6,000 |
| Coffee Machine | 1,500-2,500 |
| Ice Cream Machine | 2,500 |
| Lighting | 100 |
| Oven | 3,000 |
| Double Oven | 6,000 |
| Flat Griddle | 3,000 |
| Water Heater | 2,000 |
| Water Urn/Kettle | 2,000 |
On-site restrictions
Many venues limit how you can power your activation, and some ban generators altogether. Discuss any restrictions as early as possible so there’s time to find a solution, or in some cases, source and book a different venue. Understanding what’s allowed is just as important as knowing what you want to achieve!
The need for eco-friendly power
Does ‘going green’ mean a lot to you? If so, you’ll likely want to avoid noisy petrol or diesel generators and go for something that's better for the environment. See how to run a sustainable promotional campaign for more info or scroll down to learn about the greener options available.
Below: Emmi used an eco-friendly lithium setup to power their activation for 8 hours a day.
What power options are available?
At Promohire, we can help you choose the right power source for your promotional campaign. We can even manage the entire conversation as part of an enhanced logistics service, taking the stress out of the planning process.
On-site venue power
If there’s a socket nearby and you’re allowed to use it, then that’s usually the best choice. We’ll need to know:
- What kind of socket is available (16-amp, 32-amp, single or 3 phase)
- Where it’s located on site
- How much power is supplied
We can supply cables and distro boxes to fulfil your power needs, along with cable management for a safe and tidy environment.
Lithium battery power
Perfect for low-to-mid energy setups like coffee bars, fridges and lighting. These batteries are quiet, discreet and eco-friendly. Ice cream machines can be powered from the battery alone, but if you’re cooking, you’ll likely need a bigger source.
Solar energy (with battery backup)
Pairing solar panels with lithium batteries is the ideal way to keep summer activations going. You’ll also reduce your reliance on the grid while getting the power you need. This ‘green combination’ is a hugely responsible way to power your campaign, and one of the reasons Promohire won gold at the 2025 FMBE awards for our work BiOrbic.
Generators
A generator is your best bet when you’ve got high power demands and no other supply nearby. Just be aware:
- Some venues don’t allow them
- Larger units can be noisy and bulky
- You’ll need to confirm the fuel permitted (e.g. some venues ban diesel)
- It's the least eco-friendly option available
We can match a generator with your power needs and plan the logistics of it running safely.
5 questions to ask your venue
Before your promotional campaign can go ahead, you’ll need essential details from the site owners – and that comes down to asking the right questions.
Question 1: What kind of power is available on site?
Ask which types of power sockets are on site and how many you can use. You need to know their power output too, as an energy-intensive fryer can take up a 32-amp socket’s entire supply! If there’s a 3-phase power socket on site, our team can provide a splitter box to help regulate your electrical power needs.
Plugging into the venue’s power is the best choice for most brands, but you may be able to combine with other power sources if your campaign needs an energy boost!
Question 2: Where is the power source located?
You need to know how far the power supply will be from your vehicle. If it’s 50 metres away or more, then that’s a big consideration. Let us know early on so we can plan cabling, safety and layout on your behalf. You should also ask for a floor plan showing the location of power points, as this can be a great help when planning logistics.
Question 3: Can I use my own power supply?
Most site owners are fine with this, as long as you follow all of their requirements and fill out the extra paperwork. If they refuse and you desperately need more power, then it may be worth looking for an alternative venue.
If they say yes, then you’ll need to find out what is and isn’t allowed. In general, generators are far more likely to be refused than a sustainable lithium setup.
Question 4: What are your health and safety requirements?
Everything about your activation must comply with H&S regulations, and for good reason. You don't want an accident to occur because you didn’t take precautions!
Site owners will ask for your RAMS document (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) so they know how you’ll identify and minimise risk. At Promohire, we handle RAMS at no extra cost – so be sure to let us know the regulations as soon as possible.
Question 5: What’s the cost of using venue power?
While some venues charge a flat fee, others may charge by kilowatt. If you think it may prove expensive, you can ask us to help reduce your reliance on venue power. For example, one lithium battery can run a simple bar setup for an entire working day!
Power your vehicle with the Promohire team!
Once you’ve got answers to your questions, send them to us at your first opportunity. We can then recommend the best solution for your campaign setup and integrate it into the vehicle design and build process.
Getting as much info together about your requirements ahead of time will help avoid power shortages on the day – for a campaign your audience will love.
