The network is ChargePoint, which operates thousands of public chargers across the United States, and it's teaming with Airbnb, the ubiquitous vacation rental hosting site, to offer a car-charging package for Airbnb hosts. That package includes hardware, installation, management software and support services. Guests will use the ChargePoint app to access the charger.
“With Airbnb, we are enabling more EV charging for drivers where they need it and helping Airbnb hosts appeal to more travelers by delivering a frictionless charging experience for their guests,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO at ChargePoint, in a statement.
The arrangement is structured to have property owners purchase the charger and associated management software. The owner will also set charging rates for guests, said AJ Gosselin, director of corporate communications at ChargePoint. The cost of the charger starts at $399.
“There is no revenue sharing,” Gosselin said. “Airbnb hosts will own the chargers and can individually determine whether to make charging free to guests.”
Like swimming pools, or full kitchens, electric vehicle charging is just one more perk travelers are looking for when scanning vacation rental options, said Airbnb officials. In fact, home listings that include a charger are rented more nights than those without, while searches for rentals with chargers grew more than 80 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to Airbnb data.
“By making it more affordable for hosts to install EV chargers, we are empowering them to take more sustainable actions and appeal to guests who are interested in this amenity,” said Ameet Konkar, Airbnb’s director of sustainability, in a statement.
