EV Chargers: A guide to the benefits & things to consider

1. Stand out from the competition 

Convenience is everything. EV drivers will naturally favour sites where they can charge their car overnight without having to hunt for a public charger. Offering an EV charger gives guests one more reason to choose your space over another. 

2. Futureproof your space 

The government’s Road to Zero strategy means that by 2030, 25% of vehicles on UK roads should be electric or hybrid. Installing an EV charger now ensures your property keeps up with changing guest expectations and avoids costly catch-up investments later. 

Currently, around 10% of Canopy & Stars places already offer an EV charger, and this number is on the rise. 

3. Appeal to eco-conscious guests 

With green travel growing in popularity, offering EV charging shows that you’re serious about sustainability. It’s a small but meaningful step towards helping reduce the carbon footprint of your guests’ travel. We also know that many of our guests are coming from London and with 40% of Londoners not owning a car, many of them will hire a car. With car hire companies and city car clubs like Co-Wheels and Zip car rapidly increasing their EV fleets, we’re likely to see more people opting for electric hire cars. 

“We have had a number of guests, particularly to Silva who have asked us if we have an EV charger over the years, so we felt justified to install one, thus improving our guest experience & hopefully encouraging others to come that require a charge site also.” 

Lucy - owner of Into the Woods

4. It's more affordable than you think 

The average installation cost for a basic EV charger is around £1,200. Plus, you can often pass energy costs on to guests by: 

• Using chargers with built-in payment apps 
• Charging guests per usage/unit based on a simple meter reading at the end of their stay 
• Setting your own tariffs via a management platform 
• Night-time charging (when electricity is cheaper) and automated billing can also help keep running costs low.

 Top tip: Most of our owners opt for 7kWh slow chargers – ideal for overnight stays and much cheaper to install than rapid chargers. 

“We charge guests to use the chargers, setting a simple flat rate to cover electricity and maintenance costs. Usage varies but tends to increase during peak season, and we’re seeing more guests specifically mention the EV chargers as a deciding factor when booking. Guests simply scan a QR code and that’s it! No need to download an app. I pay a subscription for this easy-to-use service which means I have nothing to do and the funds from users are paid direct into my account each month.” 

Barney – owner of Rufus’s Roost

You may also be eligible for grant funding through the Workplace Charging Scheme - you can find out more information and apply for the grant on the government website.

• Location: Ensure the charger is easily accessible for vehicles of all types (front, side, or rear charging ports vary) 
• Insurance: Notify your business insurer that you're adding a charger, as your policy may need updating 
• Safety: Chargers must be included in your property’s fire risk assessment 
• Guest information: Include clear usage instructions in your welcome pack and on signage 
• Electrical capacity: Older properties may need load management hardware to safely handle the extra power draw 
• If you own multiple units, consider installing more than one charger to reduce disruption and cater for your guests.

“Installing EV chargers is a smart investment and increasingly expected by guests. I’d recommend going for high-quality chargers and installing more than one, if possible, as demand is only going to grow. Make sure you check your site’s electrical capacity early on – upgrades can significantly affect the project cost – and position the chargers where they’re easily accessible but still in keeping with the site’s aesthetic.” 

Barney – owner of Rufus’s Roost

Here are some EV chargers our owners are using: 

• Zappi EV Charger 
• Octopus EV 
• Zaptec 
• Pod Point 
• VoltShare

Some providers even offer remote fault monitoring, guest billing management, and automated reports – meaning you can be as hands-off or hands-on as you like. 

“We installed two Zaptec chargers. We chose Zaptec because of their reliability, smart management features, and flexibility to expand in the future if needed. Installation was fairly straightforward, but we did need to upgrade part of our electrical supply to handle the additional load. The total installation cost, including groundwork and electrical upgrades, was around £3000.

Barney - owner of Rufus’s Roost

We chose to use Voltshare who came recommended by some friends of ours & so far, they have been great. Their price was comparable to other brands, their communication has been fantastic & the installation process was simple enough.

Lucy - owner of Into the Woods

While the return on investment might not be immediate, the long-term value is clear: 

• More enquiries from guests with EV’s 
• Lower environmental impact 
• Better occupancy rates 
• Increased appeal to eco-conscious guests.

Having a charger is a practical addition and will never be a bad thing – it’s a practical addition and helps your space align with the shift toward greener travel. 

If you have any questions or want more advice on installing an EV charger, feel free to reach out to your Account Manager at owners@canopyandstars.co.uk. We're always happy to help.