It's summer, and that means the call of the open road, which has changed with the arrival of long-range electric cars. Recently I've given your 4 articles about electric road trips and charging infrastructure
- How most Level 2 EV chargers are now wasted inside the cities
- The right strategy for supercharging
- Why rather than supercharging, we should hope to charge where we sleep
- How RVs and trailers might go electric
- How RV parks could develop the market for charging while sleeping
EVs charge at home for travel around the city and fast DC chargers like superchargers exist along the interstates and other major routes. To let us travel off the beaten path, it's harder, which is why RV parks have the potential to solve things.
We won't get superchargers on the minor roads for a bit longer, and the RV parks will take time to convert, but it might be interesting to consider the idea of the "BnB for EV road trippers," name the development of rural overnight accommodations aimed mainly at serving the electric vehicle customer.
These would be rural as they are not needed in cities, but they would be in places that a BnB or other homestay might not be easily justified. Rural BnBs tend to aim at those wanting a quiet repose, not the road tripper looking for a motel to bed down for the night. Running a BnB is plenty of work, though some people quite like the work.
An EVBnB could be just an ordinary BnB that puts in EV charging -- and indeed this is a good idea for many such properties. As outlined in the prior articles the EV road-tripper should travel with their own mobile "charger" (known as an EVSE) that plugs into the standard RV 50 amp socket, known as the 14-50R. All Teslas come standard with this cord, and owners of Bolts and other cars can get them for a reasonable price. Depending on the property and how it's wired, it may be fairly inexpensive to put in such a socket, particularly if there is parking not too far from the household power panel. Costs for that can be just a few hundred dollars if the distances are right. Of course, one can also install a built-in EVSE "charger." Tesla offers them free to well-established hotels and BnBs, but they only support Teslas. The more standard J1772 units cost around $300-500 plus wiring and can charge both Teslas and all other cars. You do probably need a house that already has 200 amp service, to keep the costs low.
Self-serve BnB
An EVBnB might work well as what you could call a "self-serve BnB." These are units which guests can stay at without ever encountering the host. This is getting more common on Airbnb. Keys are in a lockbox with a code, or the locks are electronic. Cleaning is still needed, which requires that somebody drops by mid-day after guests leave to clean. An interesting alternative is a service without the usual amenities of linens and bathroom supplies. The guest is expected to bring their own sheets and towels, and sometimes even toilet paper and soap. This removes the host from needing to do laundry and replenishment. A set of king flat sheets is not expensive and the guest worries about cleaning them the same time they clean their clothes. The main burden is making the beds when arriving. Some places even have a "leave it as you found it" rule which requires the guests to clean. Not all guests will accept this, as it takes away valuable vacation time, and they also can't be depended upon.
A more extreme self serve unit might even involve the erection of one or more "glamping" tents on the rural property. This means nice multi-room cabin tents with an actual bed inside, and electricity and lighting, as well as even a camp sink with biodegradable soap. It is still necessary to have real toilet and shower facilities, as well as the kitchen, which may mean access to part of the home, again with electronic locks or lockboxes. Such units would command a lower price but could be put in place at low cost even for hosts who can't or don't want to have guests staying in their home.
The breakfast part is a different story. Absent hosts can leave things in the fridge and have the usual machines, or set up an outdoor building or tent with fridge and breakfast supplies (depending on the animals in the area.)
Obviously, a real cabin or room is preferable to this, but this is something almost anybody could set up. It would not be a popular place to stay -- except to those keen on the real coveted amenity, the overnight charge of their car. Even so, rural homeowners could probably set up something basic for under $1,000 and get income they would not otherwise get in tourist season.
They would want to list their property on sites like Plugshare. Airbnb lets hosts specify they have EV charging, but as yet does not offer a workable way to search for it. That will change. Eventually, somebody will make a site that lets you find, book and pay for such charging accommodations.
Power issues
As noted, most houses would need to install some power. The cost of this can vary greatly, from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands in a property that has low current service or old gear. Not all would be able to participate. More serious hosts might install one or more EV chargers, which are more convenient for the guests.
It will generally be fairly cheap ($200 or so) to install a 50 amp socket if:
- Your parking spot is close to your power panel, or it is relatively easy to run a thick wire to it, ideally indoors.
- You have lots of spare power in your service, ie. you have 200 amp service or 100 amp service with fewer loads
- There is space in your power panel for a large double breaker.
If these are not all true, it may cost quite a bit more -- an electrician's estimate is your best path.
If you have a rural BnB, consider adding this plug, and listing yourself on Plugshare or AirBnB today. EV rural travel is just starting, but there are good odds it will become a big thing in the next few years.
