Rest and recharge: EV charging at accommodation

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common on New Zealand roads, the opportunity is ripe for hotels, holiday parks and other accommodation providers to offer charging services.

Watch this video to find out what is working well for accommodation providers that have installed EV chargers, and what advice they have to share.

Hear from two accommodation providers and a charging specialist, about their advice for installing EV chargers at accommodation.

Our customers tell us that they'll choose us over our competitors for ease of not having to go off site seeking out a public charger.

Katie Silcock, Scenic Hotels

Why offer EV charging facilities

Meet customer demand – With over 100,000 EVs in New Zealand, demand for charging facilities is stronger than ever, and will continue to increase. Providing a safe and easy charging facility for guests will be a valuable feature now and into the future.
Get return business – Many EV owners prioritise the availability of charging facilities when considering accommodation options. Being able to charge while they sleep is a great option for guests.
Increase safety – Having an EV charger installed by a qualified electrician is the safest EV charging option for everyone. It mitigates cable trip hazards and protects your electricity board from overloading.
Improve energy oversight – Smart chargers give you control over charging load, allowing you to offer more EV chargers without the need for supply upgrades, by limiting charging rates at times when other electricity demand is high. You can have complete visibility over how much electricity is being used for EV charging and therefore the electricity costs for charging.
Manage costs – There’s an opportunity to generate revenue from offering your customers the ability to charge their EVs on site, while ensuring the option remains cheaper for guests than using a public charger. This revenue can be used to recoup set-up costs and install more chargers as needed. You can charge a set fee for charging, or include a margin into charging rates when partnering with a third party to manage payments.
Show commitment to sustainability – Installing EV chargers shows your commitment to sustainability, by supporting drivers who have chosen zero-emissions vehicles.

Charger types to consider

When selecting an EV charger, you will need to consider the electricity supply available at your site and the charging behaviour you would like to offer guests.

Slow chargers suitable for overnight charging offer the most convenient solution for guests. A faster charger would allow for quicker top-ups, but is likely to be less convenient for guests who need to move their vehicle and wait for other users – and you may be limited by your site’s electricity capacity.

Note that the length of time it takes for a car to charge not only depends on the charger, but also on the type of car and its battery capacity.

Slow chargers (AC)

EV chargers that use AC (alternating current) offer a slower charge, and are suitable for charging cars that are parked for many hours or overnight. A standard 3-pin plug delivers 1.8kW and can charge a car to about 100km in 10 hours. Smart AC chargers can readily supply 3.6-7kW, adding 2-4 times as much range in the same amount of time.
Fast chargers (DC)

DC (direct current) chargers offer a much faster rate of charge, because they can feed power directly to a car’s battery, with no need for a current conversion inside the vehicle. A 30kW DC charger can add about 100km range in 40 minutes. A 150kW DC charger could do this in as little as 8 minutes for newer EVs (charging speeds are limited on older models by battery constraints).

Recommended smart EV chargers

EECA has developed a list of approved smart EV chargers, to help you identify and purchase chargers that are energy efficient and future-proofed with ‘smart’ technology.

Among other benefits, smart chargers give you control over charging load and may save you the need for electricity supply upgrades.

The list includes chargers that are suitable for commercial use.

View approved chargers

With smart charging, you can better utilise your existing electrical capacity without having to spend on upgrades to your electrical infrastructure.

Glenn Inkster, Transnet NZ Limited

Getting started - FAQ

Consider your energy supply so you know what capacity you have available for chargers – talk to your electrician early in the process.
- Install AC (slow) chargers for guests to charge overnight. This will require a lower energy supply and you can likely have multiple running at the same time. Make sure it’s a smart charger for energy management and lower charging costs.
- A DC charger will charge a lot faster and requires a higher energy supply. Customers will need to move their vehicle when it has charged for the next person. You may not be able to install many DC chargers with your existing electricity infrastructure.
With smart charging, you can better utilise your existing electrical capacity without having to spend on upgrades to your electrical infrastructure. Choose a product from EECA’s approved list of smart chargers to ensure the charger has all the features that are used both now and into the future as more control systems become available.

EV smart charger approved list
The upfront cost of an EV charger is normally between $1,500-$2,000 for the hardware, and between $1,500-$2,000 for the installation, depending on where it is mounted. Your electrician can advise on the best location to keep costs down.

Another option is to partner with an existing public charging provider. They may offer fast (DC) or slow (AC) chargers and payment systems EV owners are already familiar with. There are many options available – for example you can choose to own the hardware and have a partnership to manage payments only, or you can outsource charging provision entirely. Reach out to a provider to discuss options.
The safest way for EVs to charge is by using a reputable charger, installed by a qualified electrician. Once the EV is fully charged the vehicle will stop the battery charging, there is very low risk of over-charging.

EVs are far less likely to catch fire than a petrol or diesel vehicle. EV battery fires are most likely to start if the vehicle or charger has had significant prior damage.

Read FAQs and facts about EV fires(external link)
Make EV charging easy for your guests with clear information before they arrive and during their stay.
- Include key details on your website and customer emails:
  - how many chargers you have and whether they are bookable
  - the charger speed (e.g. 7.4kW)
  - how they will pay and how much it costs
  - whether people need to bring their own cable and what type of connector.
- Some EV chargers come with cables attached and some do not. Guests may not bring cables with them, so it’s a good idea to provide these. Talk to your supplier about what would best suit your situation.
- Install clear signage explaining to guests how to use the chargers.
- Equip your staff with knowledge about the chargers and how to use them.

Plugging into the future: How New Zealand is electrifying its roads

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Hotel Decarbonisation Pathway

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Residential smart EV chargers and demand flexibility

How smart charging technology can help manage electricity demand from EVs.
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Why offer EV charging facilities

Charger types to consider

Slow chargers (AC)

Fast chargers (DC)

Recommended smart EV chargers

Getting started - FAQ

Read more

Plugging into the future: How New Zealand is electrifying its roads

Hotel Decarbonisation Pathway

Residential smart EV chargers and demand flexibility