EV Chargers for short term vacation rental property

Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions
3yFollow

EV Chargers for short term vacation rental property

James Jackson
Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 1 vote

I have two short term vacation rentals in a remote location in Virginia and the nearest charging station is about 30 minutes away. Does anyone have any experience in EV chargers and how desireable they are to renters? They are pricey to install and if anyone uses one do you charge extra to all renters or do you charge a fee only for renters who desire the use of the charger? If they later what is a reasonable fee? Just not sure how many renters actually search for an EV charger. Appreciate any suggestions and recommendations based upon experience.

1Reply
272 views

Most Popular Reply

Bill B.
Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
3y

It won’t pay for itself that’s for sure. If you want one because you’re going to use it personally than sure, write it off. But there’s zero reason to install an ev charger over a plain 14-50r 240v outlet assuming you have the electrical capacity. Half of the very small market you’re going after have j1772 chargers, the other half have Teslas. Put in the wrong one and you spent extra to limit your market appeal. EVERY EV driver has a cable they travel with. 

As mentioned above you can click on the magnifying glass in the upper corner as this is literally asked monthly if not weekly. 

5Reply
See this reply in the discussion

45 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y

    This has been asked before a few times....it seems to vary by region and by inclination towards or against the EV thing.

    I personally think that in your rural area, they would be a waste of time and money. But search the listings on VRBO  for instance, and see what your competition is doing....

    I would bet that over the course of a year you would not be able to justify the cost vs usage, but I don't know your area. In my areas, it's not even worth thinking about....

    3Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y

    More and more EV's are being sold everyday. I think it would be a good investment. It may not pay off immediately but sometime in the near future is likely.

    I plan on installing them myself as I am an Electrical Engineer can easily do the install.

    2Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y

    We have 80 or so units on the West Coast of Florida.  Maybe 1-2 times per month people ask, so I do not think the cost would justify it for now.  However, we are very developed here and I imagine there are charging stations very near to all of our units.

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Elise Hazzard
    Flipper · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 25 posts · 3 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Andrew Steffens:

    We have 80 or so units on the West Coast of Florida.  Maybe 1-2 times per month people ask, so I do not think the cost would justify it for now.  However, we are very developed here and I imagine there are charging stations very near to all of our units.


     I'm in your backyard and agree. We were just quoted 3800, to install 220 power at driveway. Plus the power us is an issue. Fortunately there are many options for local rapid charging.

    1Reply
  • Bill B.
    Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    3y

    It won’t pay for itself that’s for sure. If you want one because you’re going to use it personally than sure, write it off. But there’s zero reason to install an ev charger over a plain 14-50r 240v outlet assuming you have the electrical capacity. Half of the very small market you’re going after have j1772 chargers, the other half have Teslas. Put in the wrong one and you spent extra to limit your market appeal. EVERY EV driver has a cable they travel with. 

    As mentioned above you can click on the magnifying glass in the upper corner as this is literally asked monthly if not weekly. 

    5Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y
    Yeah, this comes up more and more as times goes by. 

    I am pretty far from town at 36 miles and I have thought about it. You can get a charger system for under $1000 that can charge any EV. They just have different outlets/ports to do so.

    The biggest expense is running the line. If you are handy, you can do it yourself without a lot of issue. Just get the permit for home owner install. :)
    1Reply
  • Vadim F.
    Investor · Member since 2020 · 337 posts · 213 votes
    3y

    As an owner of a Tesla, I always search for an STR that have an EV charger available. Also, EVs are on the rise and more and more people buying them, especially Tesla given the recent price cuts and $7500 federal credit. In the area you are in, can you get a local electrician to come out and install the charger instead of using local workforce?

    Also, the other question is how popular are EVs in your area? 

    0Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y

    Would you install a gas pump at your STR could also be asked ? If someone has an EV they will charge it at a charging station before they arrive . The ROI would be terrible

    5Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Matthew Paul:

    Would you install a gas pump at your STR could also be asked ?

    Now there's a novel idea. I might at least start leaving a bunch of 5 gallon cans for the ICE people...


    2Reply
  • James Jackson
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    3y

    Thanks everyone, I appreciated every comment. Thus far I have not had a guest with an EV car but that could be because I don't have a charging station. We have a lot of teslas here localy but the local folks are not my typical renters.  I think I will follow the advice to search the local rentals with EV chargers and see how booked they are. We get a lot of renters from the D.C. suburbs, tidewater region, MD, and NJ so far no EV cars. Thanks for the kind comments and genuine interest.

    James

    0Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Matthew Paul:

    Would you install a gas pump at your STR could also be asked ? If someone has an EV they will charge it at a charging station before they arrive . The ROI would be terrible

    Yeah, I don't see them as the same. Depending on where you are located, charging stations can be few and far between.

    Our place is quite rural and people might want to venture out farther to hunt for garnets or go fishing. There aren't any chargers in the woods or on the way, but there are fuel stations. 

    When they head back to the house, they might need to charge their car.

    The ROI isn't terrible if you get bookings that would wouldn't normally get.

    If you have a STR in a major city where there is a better infrastructure for charging then it isn't necessary. But if you are 36 miles out of town and getting around the lake or the woods takes another 150 miles, that means they need to charge.
    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:
    Another take is that maybe people with EVs shouldn't take them out in the middle of nowhere. They're not really that practical of a vehicle due to their limited fuel range......take your Jeep and a couple extra gas cans.
    Just my .02..... :-)
    4Reply
  • Jeff Dawson
    Investor · Beaufort, SC · Member since 2020 · 33 posts · 12 votes
    3y

    No experience with them in an STR but with more and more EV's being sold everyday I think it would be worth it. Maybe I'm thinking about it wrong but lets say $1k to buy and install, its appealing to EV owners and they pay an extra $20/day? Over a few years it'll easily pay for itself and potentially help book EV drivers. Just my thoughts.

    0Reply
  • V.G JasonPro Member
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y

    I am putting them in all of mine. 

    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Jeff Dawson:

    No experience with them in an STR but with more and more EV's being sold everyday I think it would be worth it. Maybe I'm thinking about it wrong but lets say $1k to buy and install, its appealing to EV owners and they pay an extra $20/day? Over a few years it'll easily pay for itself and potentially help book EV drivers. Just my thoughts.

    So do you charge an extra $20 a day for everyone? Or is it an extra charge just for EV owners...?
    1Reply
  • Jeff Dawson
    Investor · Beaufort, SC · Member since 2020 · 33 posts · 12 votes
    3y

    @Bruce Woodruff Again no experience in a rental but I would just charge the EV owners. Put a lockable disconnect power switch next to charger and have cleaners unlock it before check in. Not sure if there's a more streamlined way to do it but it should work. 

    1Reply
  • Landon Vowels
    Architect · Chicago, IL · Member since 2021 · 12 posts · 28 votes
    3y

    We are making our project EV-ready by accounting for the power location+capacity for a future charger in our renovation, but will likely not buy/install the charger until there is more demand and/or expressed interest.

    If there is ever a time where major electrical work is needed on your property (as in our case), it could be an opportunity to discuss with an electrician what would be required to install a charger.

    Also worth noting, if you are considering an EV charger, it could be worth looking into whether there are any tax credits, rebates, or grants for installing chargers, from either the utility company and/or government.

    0Reply
  • Brooklyn McCarty
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
    3y

    I would never charge the guest extra to use. If you install it, just make it available for them. I think as time goes on, this will become a more common amenity. Why not get ahead of the game and start installing them now?

    0Reply
  • Ian Tyndall
    Investor · VA AZ, SC · Member since 2017 · 173 posts · 172 votes
    3y
    Quote from @James Jackson:

    I have two short term vacation rentals in a remote location in Virginia and the nearest charging station is about 30 minutes away. Does anyone have any experience in EV chargers and how desireable they are to renters? They are pricey to install and if anyone uses one do you charge extra to all renters or do you charge a fee only for renters who desire the use of the charger? If they later what is a reasonable fee? Just not sure how many renters actually search for an EV charger. Appreciate any suggestions and recommendations based upon experience.

    I installed one at our place in Rockbridge Baths, VA. There isn’t one within 30 minutes of our place. We use it for our own car so it was worth it.  I don’t plan to pass through electrical expenses for guests who use it. The electrical cooperative has a super competitor power rate. I should be bitcoin mining out at my farm stay!

    it really isn’t that expensive. The 220 charging unit was $450 on Amazon. To install it cost an additional $250. 

    Virginia has adopted the California model law that mandates that all new cars sold in the state by 2035 are EVs. I won’t debate the merits of the law, but it means that we will see more EVs out here as others have said. 
    0Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
    Quote from @Michael Baum:
    Another take is that maybe people with EVs shouldn't take them out in the middle of nowhere. They're not really that practical of a vehicle due to their limited fuel range......take your Jeep and a couple extra gas cans.
    Just my .02..... :-)
    HAHA! Since when do people use common sense. :)
    2Reply
  • Scott K.
    Member since 2020 · 223 posts · 233 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:
    Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:
    Quote from @Michael Baum:
    Another take is that maybe people with EVs shouldn't take them out in the middle of nowhere. They're not really that practical of a vehicle due to their limited fuel range......take your Jeep and a couple extra gas cans.
    Just my .02..... :-)
    HAHA! Since when do people use common sense. :)

     Funny how people love to hate on new things and fear what they are ignorant of... My tesla is 5 years old and goes 270 miles on a charge. Every 30 mins on the highway there's a supercharger with a rest stop that in twenty minutes gives me another 140 miles of range if needed. 

    I've begun installing chargers at my properties, costs about $1k. You can do things like buy a splitter to the dryer 14-50 plug and have them use that if nearby. Or just install the nema 14-50 plug outside and they'll bring their own charger adapter. I've had a few guests ask for it specifically, I wouldn't be surprised if Airbnb begins adding a filter for it in the future. 

    Frankly it's like any luxury amenity in your str. If you have the money, and want to provide every imaginable feature to your guests, do it. I only run high end airbnbs so every little feature I can imagine I like to add to gain an advantage over my competitors. Should you install one over say a similarly priced amenity? Probably not. It's probably one of the least used amenities you could tack on. 

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y

    It's a big expense with very little payoff. I doubt it would increase your bookings more than 2-3 a year, but it costs you the installation and the extra electricity. 

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    3Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y

    As the next 1-20 years pass, the whole EV thang may gain ground. It may not as it has it's drawbacks....and the ICE crowd likes their toys and that will never change. Everyone should do what is most profitable, and of course if it appeals to one's altruistic or virtue signaled side, then even more better.

    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Scott K.:

    Funny how people jump to the conclusion that those of us who don't rush to jump on the latest bandwagon are hateful, fearful and ignorant. I for one am none of those things. EVs are just not my thing...not because of the reasons you list, but they just don't (yet) have the ability to do what I need them to do. And even if they did, I would miss the smell of gas/diesel in the morning.

    And that's the other thing about proponents of EV ...they tend to start name calling when someone has a different opinion. I think everyone should do what they feel is right and leave everyone else alone.

    2Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y

    Hey @Scott K., I don't know where you live, but here in WA state, let's take I90 across the state for instance. There is one bank that I know of in Richland, WA. If you left Seattle to drive to Spokane for instance, that is just over 200 miles if you make no stops and live near the freeway entrance.

    You could make it with 50-70 miles to spare (I would assume in good conditions). That does include going over Snoqualmie Pass so I assume that uses more juice climbing vs flatlanding.

    For the record, I don't hate on EV's, nor am I ignorant seeing that I had a tertiary role in designing automotive battery packs. They just aren't the panacea that everyone wants them to be (at this time).

    The EV charging network in Idaho isn't anywhere near where it would need to be to support a lot of EV's. You couldn't drive from Coeur d'Alene to Boise in your car for example. There aren't any high capacity charging stations on I-95 that I know of. You would have to use a 120v charging.

    An EV would be cool to have for bopping around town, but I couldn't go from my home to our lake house in one. I can't make it to the charging station in Richland on a single charge.

    I am interesting is seeing where fuel cell technology goes.

    0Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free