Thinking about adding an EV option?

Great insight from Airbnb host Felicity Stevens. She lives in Australia, but her article is applicable to US Hosts.

By Felicity Stevens – Host, former Host Advisory Board member, EV Driver & Sustainability Advocate and Geoff Gedge Host and Host Advisory Board member

Hi everyone! 👋 I’m Felicity, and I’ve been an Airbnb Host for over a decade. I also drive an EV—and like many EV drivers, I’ve found it surprisingly hard to find accommodation that lets me charge my car safely and easily.

After seeing hosts asking questions about EV charging in our Airbnb community groups, I thought it was time to help clear up the confusion—so we can all better understand what guests actually need, how to offer it safely and affordably, and the potential bookings it could bring to your place.

Earlier this year, I co-hosted a webinar for hosts across Australia and New Zealand to explore the topic of EV charging—what it means for us as hosts, and what our guests actually want. Before the session, I wanted to better understand the demand and needs of our customers, the EV drivers—so I ran a survey across seven EV driver community groups. The results were incredibly insightful and confirmed a few things I already suspected:

• Over 80% of EV drivers said charging availability influences where they choose to stay

• Over 50% have skipped booking a property because it didn’t offer charging

• Most are happy to pay for the convenience—if it’s communicated clearly and a fair price is charged

That’s why I’ve put this article together—to help answer those questions, and to encourage you to consider whether your place might be able to welcome EV-driving guests too.

🔌 To Charge or Not to Charge?

Tourism is responsible for roughly 9% of global emissions(Tourismemissions.org), and ground transport is the third-largest contributor. That means the way our guests get to us really matters—and one way we can help reduce that footprint is by making it easier for people to travel in electric vehicles.

That doesn’t mean you need to install a fancy charger overnight. But it could mean:

• Offering a safe outdoor power point (Level 1)

• Letting guests know where the closest public charger is

• Or going one step further and installing a Level 2 charger (more on that below!)

🚗 What Does EV Charging Actually Look Like?

At its most basic, all you need to charge an EV is a regular 10amp household power point—but there are three commonly used “levels” of EV charging:

• Level 1: Trickle / Granny Charging

  Uses a standard 3-pin socket. It’s slow, but great for overnight charging.

  Think of filling a glass with a tiny trickle of water—it works, but takes time to fill the glass.

• Level 2: Faster Charging

  Requires a dedicated EV charger, typically installed by an electrician.

  Now imagine turning the tap on fully—you’ll fill the glass much quicker.

• Level 3: DC Fast Charging

  Only available at public stations. These are rapid chargers.

  This is like dunking the whole cup into a full sink—super fast, but not for home use.

  
  

🔒 Safety First

If you’re considering offering EV charging, safety comes first:

• Don’t use extension cords or run chargers through windows or open doors

  For Level 1, install a weatherproof outdoor socket near the parking spot

• For Level 2, get a licensed electrician to install a certified charge

• Leave instructions in your listing or compendium so guests know what’s provided and how to use it

  
  

💰 What About the Cost?

One of the biggest concerns I hear from Hosts is: Will I get stuck with a huge power bill?

The short answer: It depends on how much your power costs and what level of charging you offer.

Some Level 2 and even Level 1 chargers now come with smart features that let you:

• Track energy use

• Add a flat fee or per-kWh rate

• Bill guests directly

You can also simply include a fee in your listing or ask guests to pay a small nightly charge. The key is to be upfront and clear—guests are generally happy to pay for the convenience and peace of mind.

Or—could EV charging be the amenity that gets you the booking? For some Hosts, it might make sense to offer charging for free, knowing it could be the reason a guest chooses your place over another. In a competitive market, that small extra could be what sets you apart.

🏠 An Investment in Your Property

In Australia, Domain.com.au’s Sustainability in Property Report found that homes with sustainable features—like solar panels, efficient appliances, and EV chargers—sell for more than homes without them. Installing a Level 2 EV charger isn’t just about attracting guests—it could also increase your property’s value and appeal to future buyers who are looking for energy-smart homes. (https://www.domain.com.au/group/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DomainInsight-SustainabilityReport2025.pd...)

📸 Communicating It to Guests

If you’re offering EV charging, make it easy for your guests to know what to expect—EV drivers are often planning their stops in advance, so clarity matters.

✅ Tick the “EV charger” amenity in your listing if you offer a simple power point or if you have installed a Level 2 charger 

📝 Mention the details in your listing description:

• Is it a basic outdoor power point (Level 1) or a dedicated Level 2 charger?

• Is there a fee, or is charging included in the stay? And how this payment is collected.

• Do guests need to bring their own cable?

📷 Upload at least two photos to your listing to help guests visualise the setup:

1. A close-up of the charger or outlet

2. A wide photo showing where the car will park in relation to the charger (add details in the description of each photo)

🔌 Be clear about whether a cable is provided, or if guests need to BYO.

Not every home is suitable for EV charging, and that’s okay. If your home is off-grid, lacks a safe outdoor power point, or doesn’t have accessible parking, just let guests know. EV drivers appreciate transparency. What you can do:

• List the nearest public charging station in your compendium or digital guide

• Link to apps like PlugShare (AU) or ChargeNet (NZ), which help guests plan their charging stops

🙌 Bonus tip: If you do offer EV charging—even just a power point—register it on PlugShare (Australia) or ChargeNet (NZ) as a private charger to help guests find your place. 

🌍 The Rise of EV Drivers (and What That Means for You)

The number of EV drivers around the world is growing—fast. In 2024 alone, more than 17 million EVs were sold globally, and we’re on track to surpass 20 million in 2025. As more people switch to electric, the demand for accommodation that supports EV charging is only going to increase.

Yes, the number of public chargers is growing too—but in many parts of the world, especially regional areas, public infrastructure is still catching up. That’s where Hosts like you can make a big difference.

By offering charging at your place, you’re not only attracting a new wave of eco-conscious guests—you could also be:

• Helping to fill a gap where charging options are limited

• Supporting local tourism by making your region more EV-friendly

• Encouraging guests to stay longer and explore your area (with peace of mind that they can recharge before hitting the road)

  
  

EV charging isn’t just a utility—it’s becoming a booking decision-maker. And in areas where public chargers are scarce, you might just be giving your town or community a boost by offering one yourself.

🏡 Why I Hope You’ll Consider It

For me, adding an EV charging option is about being ready for the future—and helping support guests who are already making more sustainable travel choices.

Plus, it can help your listing stand out—especially in regional areas where public chargers are limited.Even Hilton Hotels recently shared that EV charging is now their number one booking converter—more influential than pools, breakfasts, or Wi-Fi. That’s a big shift in guest priorities.