Airbnb entices hosts with discounted EV chargers

Airbnb is partnering with ChargePoint to provide hosts a discounted option to buy, install, and manage a home EV charger that can help attract EV owners as guests.

Airbnb hosts can purchase these special EV charging packages through a new dedicated online store that offers the charging hardware, installation services, and support services, all in one place. Hosts will get up to 36 percent off the cost of select ChargePoint hardware models, with prices starting at $399. There’s also discounts on other stations, and $100 off on installation services through the site.

The first 1,000 hosts to buy a home charger from ChargePoint will also get an early bird discount of $200, courtesy of Airbnb. It could be a helpful incentive since Level 2 home chargers can cost $1,300 on average to buy and install.

Airbnb says more customers are searching for rentals with EV charging equipment, with searches using the company’s EV charger filter growing more than 80 percent from 2022 to 2023.

It also says listings that have chargers are, on average, booked for more nights and earn more income than ones without them. Airbnb also has a new listing editor for hosts so they can easily add amenities like EV charging stations to their rental and appeal to more guests.

For guests, the experience of using the chargers is similar to any other ChargePoint station, which requires the ChargePoint app to activate. Hosts interested in taking up Airbnb’s offer can visit the dedicated ChargePoint store for more information.