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Last Updated: December, 20th, 2022 | Sustainable Business
Do you drive an EV? Maybe you rented one for a holiday road trip? If so, then you already know how necessary it is to find a home-away-from-home that offers EV charging and how to search for hotels, motels, or Airbnbs that include EV charging stations. It is now a little bit easier. Airbnb has added “EV charger” as a filter when searching for accommodations, encouraging EV drivers to be particular when choosing where to stay overnight on vacation. It also means that Airbnb hosts who want to stay ahead of the competition better think about the long term.
Countries and manufacturers around the world are working to phase out gas-powered vehicles. A 2021 Pew Research study found that 39% of Americans are considering electric vehicles for their next car. California, the US leader in electrified vehicles, saw EV sales take 11% of the market in the first quarter of 2021. The state has mandated that all new vehicles sold starting in 2035 must be zero-emission. As time goes on, more and more drivers are seeing EV charging as a necessity, not an amenity.
Overnight charging at small establishments, such as a B&B or an Airbnb, is vital to EV drivers. While some drivers will plot their routes based on locations of fast-charging stations, most EV drivers rely on overnight charging to bring vehicles back to 100% for the next day’s driving. EV drivers are more than likely willing to pay extra for guaranteed charging access, even if the charging is metered. Offering chargers as an “extra” is fine for the moment, but it will soon be imperative.
While it might seem natural for businesses to offer paid charging, Airbnb hosts must remember they are also business owners. They are welcome to offer charging as a perk or a free amenity by installing an unconnected charger on-site. Otherwise, they may install a smart Level 2 AC charger to offer faster top-ups and charge users by time or by power usage. The investment in chargers would prove to make its money back and more.
Some apartment buildings already offer unassigned parking spots with EV charging. If yours doesn’t, it is worth requesting them from building management. The benefits of providing EV charging helps residence properties and their tenants, increases property value, and attracts future residents.
Building management companies only have a few routes when exploring EV solutions; Airbnb hosts who want to provide EV charging have more flexibility in their choices.
All of these options are good for a host who wants EV charging available on-site.
Two scenarios are common when offering charging at a private home. First, the homeowner has access to an unconnected EV charger. Second, a smart charger is installed at the house. The power provided and charge duration for these vary depending on the kind of charger installed and the car being charged.
This kind of home charging station, sometimes called a “dumb” charger, acts as a straight conduit between your home power source and your vehicle. Most are little more than converters that plug directly into the house outlets. Others mount on the wall, typically inside the garage or just outside it, giving the driver full access to charging.
An unconnected EV charger is for the Airbnb host that does not wish to add extra costs to the total price of stay. On one hand, they are easy to use and install. On the other hand, charging can only be offered as a free amenity. The station owner must keep an eye on the power bill and be ready to adjust list pricing to reflect the fact that someone may use a lot more power than anticipated (particularly if guests unexpectedly charge something big, like an RV).
These connected chargers offer more of a range in charging. If an Airbnb property is popular and often has guests renting, such a station would allow you to charge the guests for their EV top-ups. An integrated online dashboard makes tracking usage easy, and payments can be processed through mobile apps (such as Google Pay or Apple Pay) or credit cards. If it’s a Noodoe EV charger, guests won’t need to download an extra app or sign up for a charging membership; it’s perfect for a temporary stay. Your guests Scan, Pay, and Charge. The charger can even swap between monetization and non-monetization modes. This way, you can offer free charging as an occasional perk or set your own pricing at peak times.
EV charging is rapidly rising as a deciding factor for travelers booking accommodation. If hosts wish to remain competitive in the market, it’s important to not just keep up with trends, but to stay ahead of them. Offering either free or paid EV charging can be a huge boon for customers traveling by EV on vacations or business trips.
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