We like to keep our owners up to date on the greatest ways to make their holiday property appealing to a wide audience at StayCotswold. This is why, as we see more guests asking about the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the Cotswolds, we thought we’d share our guide on setting up an EV charging station at your vacation property. And right now, government subsidies are still available to assist with installation costs.
A professional should be hired to install a home charging station. He or she will be best positioned to advise you on the most convenient site for installation. This needs to be close enough so that visitors’ cars are parked nearby, but not in such proximity as to interfere with the external appearance of your Cotswold holiday home. Having stated that, since they’re intended for outdoor installation, most charging stations are small, weatherproof, and sturdy.
Government Grants
As the government focuses on expanding EV charging stations in rural areas, their “Workplace Charging Scheme” now covers leisure owners. The grant is valid up to a maximum amount
of £375, and you will need to fulfill the following criteria;
- be a registered business with companies house or HMRC
- declare the need for a charging point
- have dedicated off-street parking
Likely Costs
You may also be wondering how much it will increase your power bills when a guest charges their vehicle. Every electricity rate is different, but if we take an average of 20p per kWh for electricity and, as an example, a decent-sized EV with a 200-mile range, it would cost up to £10 per full charge.
It’s also worth looking into your power bill since many energy companies now provide special rates for properties with EV charging ports. These prices tend to be cheaper overnight when it is more convenient for your visitors to charge their cars.
Hassle-free guest stays
We are increasingly receiving requests for properties with EV charging capabilities. Whilst there may be charging points in the local area, guests will not want to plan their days around where they can top up their vehicle’s charge. And, as research suggests that 90% of EV charging occurs at home, being able to offer your visitors a break from the “range anxiety” that comes with traveling away from home allows for a hassle-free vacation experience.
Where to start?
When you’ve looked at the government grants program, numerous businesses will provide advice before putting in your EV charging station. The website Electric Car Home is a good place to start, as it features a list of approved suppliers. The charging point manufacturer, Myenergi, makes Zappi charging points. Their website offers an online quote request form, as well as charging points with additional features such As Integrated Timers to enable you to set charging times, along with a pin code to protect your device from being used without permission. If you’d like to learn more, the independent Which guide is a fantastic resource.