Electric Car Charging Point for Holiday Lets

The number of electric vehicle owners is rising rapidly in the UK, and with the sale of conventional and diesel cars due to end by 2030, electric vehicle (EV) charge points are set to become a sought-after feature of holiday homes.

With this in mind, holidaymakers are going to require access to an EV charge point at their holiday let so they’re free to explore the surrounding area without the worry of where to charge their vehicle next.

For holiday let owners, this presents an exciting opportunity. Holiday lets offering access to an EV charge point will undoubtedly attract more interest from EV owners, leading to more enquiries and bookings - meaning now is a great time to invest.

But if you don’t have an EV charge point at your holiday let yet, the upfront costs of installing one, along with the ongoing management requirements, may seem daunting. However, with recent developments in hardware and online management platforms, installing a charge point can be easier and more cost-effective than you think.

To help you understand your options, we’ve teamed up with our EV partner, Energy Park, to explain the benefits of providing EV charge points at your holiday let.

In this post, we’ll look at the advantages of EV charge points, including:

• EV charge points and making your property stand out

• How little it could cost you to install and run

• Passing the energy bill onto your customer

We’ll also let you know how to get in touch with Energy Park if you’d like to receive additional guidance and advice.

Why Should you Install an Electric Car Charging Point for your Holiday Let?

According to Zap-Map, in May 2023, 23% of all new cars sold in the UK were either fully electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.With the surge in electric vehicle ownership across the UK, more holidaymakers are going to require access to a charge point at their holiday rental, and this is set to become an expectation, rather than a nice-to-have.

Being able to charge their vehicle at their holiday let means they can relax and enjoy exploring the local area, rather than spending precious holiday time looking for the next accessible charge point.So, this means that electric vehicle owners are naturally going to be actively seeking out accommodation that provides charging facilities.

Stand Out from the Competition

Convenience is always a priority for holidaymakers, so if your guests have the option to charge their cars at your property instead of a local charge point, you’ll really stand out from the crowd.

By providing access to a charge point at your property, you’re giving electric vehicle owners a good reason to choose your property over another, and you’ll quickly increase your appeal to a wider market.

Energy Park Co-Founder, Gavin Malone, explains: “Electric vehicle owners will naturally favour holiday lets that have a charge point over those that don’t. Holidays should be as stress-free as possible, and holidaymakers don’t want to be spending valuable time hunting around for the nearest charge point if they can avoid it."

“Having a charge point at your property is a great way to appeal to this growing market, and you may even find that you generate increased occupancy rates and repeat bookings as holidaymakers are reassured by the ease with which they can charge their vehicle.”

Cater towards Eco-conscious Guests

With conscious consumerism on the rise, having an EV charge point will help cater for guests who are looking at holidaying in an eco-friendlier property.

As electric vehicles don’t produce any CO2, you'll be doing your bit to help reduce the carbon footprint and protect the planet by making it easier for people with electric cars to get away on holiday.

A Cost-effective Investment

If you’re concerned about increasing energy costs, then choosing an EV charge point provider who can charge guests when they charge their vehicle electricity rates against usage is a good idea.

With an average installation cost of around £1200, you may be concerned that installing an EV charge point at your holiday let will be expensive and lead to high ongoing costs. But in fact, not only could it help you secure more bookings, and therefore income, but it could also open new revenue streams for your holiday home.

Some EV charge point providers now include online management platforms as part of their service, where you can set tariff rates for your guests. This can generate additional income for you, whilst covering your electricity costs.

Vehicle charging can now be automated to take place when electricity is at its lowest cost, during the night, for example, keeping costs down.

Grants for Small Accommodation Businesses

As a holiday let owner, you may be able to access funding to help with the costs of installing a charge point through The Workplace Charging Scheme. The government voucher-based scheme provides applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points.

The grant covers up to 75% of the total purchase and installation costs (inclusive of VAT). You can find out more on the GOV.UK website.

How Easy is it to Install a Charge Point?

Installing a charge point at your property can be done quickly. With minimal disruption, the charge point will usually be installed next to your parking space and connected via a cable to the internet router in your property.

Your EV charge point supplier may also install electric load management hardware, which will ensure the safe operation of your charge point and keep the electricity usage within the capacity of your holiday let.

You will need off-road parking, which can include a garage, carport, or driveway to be able to install the charging point safely, usually placed on an exterior wall of the property or garage, for ease of access for guests. Do you want the electric car charging point to be hidden? If so, find a spot on the driveway away from the street view if possible.

There is usually a one-off cost for installation which covers equipment, materials, installation testing and commissioning of the unit, as well as set up of an online management platform. If you own several properties on the same site, then it could be a good idea to consider installing EV charge points at the same time to create a uniform look.

Gavin comments: “When installing a charge point at a holiday let there are many different factors to consider, such as when installation can conveniently take place, the durability of the hardware, how it will be accessed, and who will be using it and how often. When we work with holiday let owners, we make sure we fully understand all these elements before advising on the best solution for them.”

Is your Property’s Electrical Capacity Enough?

If you’re unsure whether your property’s electrical capacity is sufficient to support an EV charge point, working with an EV charge point provider who can help you manage and monitor your electrical output is recommended.

Hardware can be installed that monitors the power usage of your property and then responds to fluctuations in power demand to distribute electricity within the necessary limits. This ensures that guests won’t be left in the dark by any inconvenient power cuts.

A Hands-off Approach

Installing an EV charge point doesn’t mean you’ll have to be at the end of the phone every time a guest experiences a problem charging their vehicle.

There are now companies who, for a small monthly fee, will proactively manage the charge point on your behalf.

The services provided may include:

• Remote fault detection

• Customer service for all users of the charge point

• Payment collections and monthly settlement services

• Tariff-free set-up arrangements for family and friends

• Periodic inspections and testing

• Access to a settlement report detailing all charging sessions for the month

If you’d prefer a more hands-on approach, an experienced EV charge point provider will be able to connect you to an online platform where you can monitor usage and manage access to your charge point. This should also include email alerts for fault detection and reporting, should any issues arise.

When you speak to an experienced charge point operator about the features that are important to you, including your preferred aesthetic and safety features, they will help you decide on the best approach for you and your guests.

Considerations for Electric Car Charging at a Holiday Let

If adding an EV charge point is looking like a possible option, here are several points to consider before adding one to your property:

• Not all charge points on cars are positioned in the same place, some may be on the front of the car others may be positioned where the usual fuel filler cap is. So you’ll need to place the charging point in a more neutral position if possible, to try and cater for all vehicles.

• You should let your insurance company know you are considering adding a charge point to the property, this is to see if your policy needs updating for a charge point to be installed.

• The charge point must also be included in the fire risk assessment for the property once installed, with all the correct safety features put in place.

• A guide for how to use the charging point should also be left for guests, this can be included in the welcome folder, to make sure the charge point is used safely by guests and on signage positioned on the charge point itself.

Is an Electric Car Charge Point Worth the Investment?

Having an electric charging point added to the property is a big decision to make for your holiday let. It could be a positive addition to the property with many guests now looking for holiday homes that offer the convenience of an on-site charging point.

It can also cater for more eco-conscious guests and highlight the property as a place for greener living. There is no better time to do your bit for the environment.

With an EV charge point, your property could really stand out and allow your guests to enjoy a more relaxing holiday without the worry of finding a charging point. Plus, with electricity costs covered by your guests and grants available for installation, it may be more cost-effective than you first thought.

How Energy Park can Help

To help our customers access the best EV charge point advice and guidance, we’ve partnered with an experienced EV charge point supplier, Energy Park. Having recently installed the charge points at Devon and Cornwall-based Charteroak Lodge Parks, Energy Park understands the needs of holiday homeowners and provides an outstanding service – helping owners get set up with their first charge point.

If you’re interested in installing a charge point at your holiday let, their team of experts can guide you through the entire process, managing every step on your behalf, from hardware selection to installation and ongoing management. Make an Enquiry

To make an enquiry and find out how Energy Park can help, contact them HERE.

Firstly, they’ll ask you to fill in a quick online survey, giving them a few details about your holiday let. Once they’ve reviewed your requirements, a member of their team will contact you with recommendations on the best approach for you and a cost estimate. You’ll then have the opportunity to arrange a virtual consultation or an onsite meeting at your holiday let.