How are you charging for EV charging?

[Sable8]

Hey everyone. I have a 1bd 1bth in Phoenix that I used to live in and am now turning into an Airbnb. I had a Tesla charger installed and decided to leave it. I’d like to offer it to my guests but how much do I charge? I got a lock box for it so people don’t have access, but since I keep my prices so reasonable, I don’t want to not charge and then lose money on bookings. How are you guys managing this? Thanks!

[Ahmed570]

I don't have such thing in my property. 

But as a follow EV user I can suggest to not charge for using. 

This will make you property more attractive.

[Basha0 · Accepted solution]

I installed a ChargePoint charger. I do not charge guests to charge. There are several threads on this site about that and it really doesn’t cost that much electricity to charge.  I have not had that many guests with ev but it sure comes in handy for us and our two ev!

[Mary1523]

Hi @Sable8  do you have an EV? It's interesting that only non EV owners alway ask this question.... 

I have an EV and offer EV charging. Offered for free, but locked off, only opened on request.

When you have an EV, you'll understand why its a mindset shift. There is plenty of commentary already on Community Centre about EV charging and why the mindset shift.

Guests will only want to pay for EV charging when its a super charger. Not a slow trickle charge. And I'm reasonably sure you haven't installed a Tesla super charger. And besides, not everyone has a Tesla anymore, 50% of EV sales are non Tesla so hopefully other car makes can use your charger.

It's a feature to make your property more attractive like the other commenters said. So don't charge.

Hope this helps, regs MK

[Bhumika]

Hi @Sable8 , welcome to the community! I noticed that hosts @Mary1523 @Basha0 @Ahmed570 have shared great tips for your question. Based on their suggestions, are you thinking of charging guests for using EV charging or prefer a no charge access?

Looking forward to hear from you!

[Peter4656]

Always interesting that EV owners are not in favour of charges! I have had a group which used the standard wall outlet to charge a Tesla over 19 hours (70kWh) without asking permission. This represents a cost to me of €18.70 not including Airbnb commission! This is not a negligible amount. I do not think it is fair that the guest should expect the host to pay for their transport costs!

[Billy375]

@Sable8 For the lockbox approach, the simplest model is to include a one-line add-on in your booking message: "EV charging available — $X flat fee per stay, message me to unlock." Guests self-select, you collect via Resolution Center before arrival, hand over the code. Most guests won't need a full charge so $15–20 flat fee per stay is fair, defensible, and simple enough that guests won't push back.

However, longer-term, per-kWh metered billing is cleaner (guests pay exactly what they use -** but for a single property the lockbox + flat fee approach is perfectly workable.

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