Last Updated on September 20, 2023 by Rental Recon
As the vacation rental market continues to grow, Superhosts like us are continuing to look for ways to stand out. This means offering more amenities to our guests. And with the increase of electric cars on the road, we believe Airbnb Superhosts should consider whether EV Charging Stations are a worthwhile investment.
The demand for EV chargers is expected to rise and EV Charging Stations are perfect for Airbnbs located on main roads or properties that get a lot of roadtrippers; a travel method that is currently booming in the United States.
Should You Install an EV Charging Station in Your Airbnb?
Short answer, yes! Installing an EV Charging Station in your vacation rental is a great investment that will put you ahead as more guests start looking for this amenity in their future rentals.
Our Choice for The Best EV Charging Stations
- Best Overall EV Charger (Our top pick!)
- Best Mid-Range EV Charger
- Best Budget Option
Pros of EV Charging Stations
Prep for The Future
While not all guests may have an electric car to charge, more and more electric cars are being purchased and used on the road. This means you’ll be ahead of the curve for the next boom of electric car purchases.
Added Amenity
Airbnb now offers this option as an amenity shown to guests. To attract more guests to your vacation rental property, you always want to make sure you offer the best amenities in your area in order to get the most bookings.
Positive Reviews
After implementing EV Charging Stations in our Airbnbs, we have seen nothing but positive reviews. Guests are surprised to see an EV Charging Station, making their stay in our properties more enjoyable.
Cons of EV Charging Stations
Costs
Don’t forget to consider the added electric costs in your rental property price. EV Charging Stations used by many guests may up your electric bill and catch you by surprise. Some EV charging stations have apps where you can see the costs accumulated.
Maintenance
Before installing an EV Charging Station, you’ll want to make sure you know how to take care of this accessory. Make sure to take care of your charging ports and check their functionality between each guest stay.
Low Usage in Some Area
You’ll want to consider where your Airbnb is located. Some states have more electric cars on the road than others. If your vacation rental is in an area that doesn’t see many electric cars, this amenity may not even be used and you may feel like you have wasted a couple hundred dollars.
Things to Consider Before Installing an EV Charging Station
Location
You’ll want to consider where your vacation rental is located. Then research to see if there are any laws governing the installation of your EV Charging Station. If your Airbnb is in a wealthier area, it is likely that more people will have electric cars.
Types of Guests
You’ll want to consider the types of guests you usually receive. Make sure they are in the world of eco-friendly roadtrippers.
If your guests are usually coming from an airport or if you are in a big city where your guests take taxis and public transportation, maybe an EV Charging Station is an unnecessary purchase for now.
Tips for Hosts Who Install an EV Charging Station in their Airbnbs
- Add a picture to your listing.
- Add it to your description of amenities in your vacation rental listing.
- If you have access to a garage, install your EV Charging Station inside.
How to Choose the Best EV Charging Station
Voltage/Electricity Supply
You’ll want to make sure that the output of your device is able to charge electric cars. Electric charging stations come in different levels associated with how fast the charging station will charge electric vehicles.
Level 2 chargers should be good enough for guests to charge their cars overnight during their stay. But, you’ll want to make sure your home has the necessary electrical requirements.
Adapters
Not all electric cars have the same outlets. Try to purchase an EV Charger that works with the most car types. Then, purchase a Tesla adapter.
Look for Durability
Cables should be built to last and withstand outdoor conditions, if necessary.
Wi-Fi Connectivity & Apps
In order to make calculating electricity costs easier for you and your vacation rental business, you’ll want to consider opting for a charger that connects to Wi-Fi and smartphone apps.
ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 (Our Top Pick!)
While the ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 Charger is sold at a higher price point, we use it in our Airbnbs and recommend it to other Superhosts because it offers quick charging, is built to withstand the outdoors, and contains Wi-Fi capabilities.
Pros of ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2
1- Wifi Capabilities
This is a great advantage for Airbnb hosts because it allows you to connect to your smartphone and view things like usage and costs.
2- Flexibility
The ChargePoint EV Charging Station offers users three options: hardwire, NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50. It also allows you the ability to choose when your electric vehicle charges (for the lowest electric rates in your area).
3-Charge Speed
This charging station is 240V and built to charge 9x faster than traditional wall outlets. But make sure you have the proper electrical abilities.
Cons of ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2
1- Higher Price Point
While this ChargePoint is highly rated and a top pick among electric vehicle owners, it also means a higher up-front investment for hosts.
Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger
The Grizzle-E Level 2 EV Charger is a great option for Airbnb hosts that expect their chargers to be used every day, but aren’t ready to invest in supercharging capabilities.
Pros of Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger
1- Price Point
This EV Charging Station is currently being sold at a reasonable price point and includes the necessary features.
2- Adjustable Current Output
Depending on your Airbnb’s electrical output abilities, this charger is great because it offers customers the opportunity to choose between 40A, 32A, 24A or 16A current output. We recommend 24A, which will charge cars at 15-18 miles per hour.
3- Durability
This electric vehicle charger comes with a 3-year warranty, is both water and fire resistant, and offers overcurrent and overvoltage protection.
Cons of Grizzl-E Level 2 EV Charger
1- No Wi-Fi Capabilities
We love the Grizzl-E but wish it had an app that could connect to our smartphones. This makes it easy for hosts to see power usage and electricity costs.
MEGEAR Skysword Ⅱ Level 1-2 EV Charger
The MEGEAR Skysword II is a good option if you’re looking to offer the amenity of EV charging but aren’t ready to make the necessary investments.
Pros of MEGEAR Skysword Ⅱ Level 1-2 EV Charger
1- Low Cost
This budget option is at a great price point and will allow you to advertise EV Charging as an amenity to guests.
2- Lower Voltage for Rentals That Can’t Handle Higher Amperage
This charging station is a good option for hosts running vacation rentals that are older or have weaker electrical capabilities.
Cons of MEGEAR Skysword Ⅱ Level 1-2 EV Charger
1- Lower Charging Speed
This MEGEAR charger charges electric vehicles at an average of 11-15 miles per hour. This won’t offer your guests quick charging but could be a basic amenity that allows guests to charge their cars overnight.
2- Not Waterproof
The base option of this EV Charging station is not waterproof. So, we only recommend this charging port if you have garage access in your rental property.
Conclusion
As more and more guests are looking to travel more sustainably, we believe that more guests will be looking for rental properties that offer EV Charging Stations as an amenity. Superhosts, like us, that choose to provide this amenity are positioning ourselves as forward-thinking and eco-friendly.
But first, take the time to consider the needs of your guests in your vacation rental location.
If you’re looking to improve your Airbnb listing, check out our article on how to add value to your Airbnb here…>>
