EV charging for your Airbnb
Charging Ahead - Offering EV Charging at Your Holiday Home
Hello, STR owners! Thinking about making your property EV-friendly? With more travellers driving electric vehicles, offering a charging solution could make your property stand out. Here’s a practical guide to help you understand the different levels of EV charging, the speeds involved, and key considerations for a safe and guest-friendly setup and solutions for how to pass on the costs to guest - if you wish.
EV charging in Australia
Level 1 Charging: The Basics
Level 1 charging uses a standard power outlets.. If your guests bring their own mobile charger, it’s the easiest option to provide. The installation cost is minimal, as you probably already have a power point available. But keep in mind, this is the slowest option for guests to charge from.
Power usage and cost: about 2 kWh per hour. If your power tariff is, say, 40 cents per kWh, this would cost you 80 cents per hour when guests are charging their vehicles.
Charging speed: about 12–14 km of range added per hour. A typical EV might have a 60-80 kWh battery, so if your guest needs to charge from near empty, this could take up to 40 hours! So it’s best for guests who are topping up overnight after reasonably short day trips.
Safety first: Even for Level 1, it’s wise to consult an electrician to ensure the outlet can handle the load and to consider running a dedicated circuit. This reduces the risk of overloading if the circuit is shared with other appliances. If you’re doing this, ask your electrician to install a 15-amp circuit. If the outlet is located outside, it must be weather-rated.
Pass on the cost to the guest If you want to pass the costs on to the guests, you may like to consider a smart socket like Alchemy Charge. This allows you to turn an existing outlet into a pay-as-you-go setup easily.
Level 1 EV charging with permission from Airbnb owner
Level 2 Charging: The Sweet Spot
A Level 2 charger is a more professional option. It requires installing a dedicated wall charger connected to a 240 Volt circuit, typically rated at 32 Amps. This adds significant value for EV owners and offers much faster charging than Level 1.
Power usage and cost: A typical 7kW charger would cost you $2.80 per hour of use at the 40 cent rate above (faster Level 2 options are available – up to 22kW – but not all homes or EVs can make full use of them).
Charging speed: about 40–45 km of range added per hour.
This means it’s comfortably fast enough for overnight stays. Installation costs range from $1,500–$3,000, including the charger and electrician work. There are various third party payment systems available.
Level 3 Charging: Lightning Fast, But Not for Homes
Level 3 EV charging
Level 3, or DC fast charging, is what you see at public charging stations. Speeds start at around 300 km of range per hour and go up depending on the charger and car model. However, this level is impractical for most short-stay properties due to the high cost (tens of thousands of dollars) and the substantial electrical upgrades needed. It's better suited to large apartment complexes or commercial setups.
Level 3 EV charging
No On-Site Charging? No Worries
If adding EV charging to your property isn’t feasible, you can still cater to EV-driving guests by providing information on nearby public charging stations. Apps like PlugShare can help locate charging points, and this small effort could still make a big impression.
Safety First: Practical Tips
Cables and trip hazards: Make sure charging cables are safely secured and don’t pose a risk to guests walking nearby.
On-property parking: Ensure the EV can be parked entirely within your property when charging.
Electrical safety: Always consult a licensed electrician for any charging setup.
By offering EV charging, you’re not just meeting a growing demand—you’re future-proofing your property and giving it extra guest appeal. Ready to electrify your hosting game? ⚡ Let’s go!
For more safety tips check out EV Fire Safe https://www.evfiresafe.com/