Making the most of your EV charger

EV charging can encourage visitors to spend more time at your business. While their vehicle is charging, visitors may choose to enjoy a meal, browse retail offerings, participate in an experience, or explore the local area.

Visitors do not always require a full charge. Often, they simply want to top up their battery while enjoying your accommodation, attraction, café, restaurant or experience.

Pricing and cost recovery

Businesses may choose to:

  • Offer EV charging free of charge as a service to visitors
  • Charge a fee to recover some or all operating costs
  • Include EV charging as part of accommodation, packages or visitor experiences

Charging fees can be structured in different ways, including:

  • A price per kWh of electricity consumed
  • A flat fee per charging session
  • Inclusion within another product or service, such as accommodation or an activity

When setting prices, consider your electricity costs, software and payment processing fees, idle fees, and the pricing of nearby charging providers. An idle fee is an additional charge applied when a vehicle remains connected to a charger after charging is complete, helping to encourage charger availability for other users.

While idle fees can help promote better user etiquette, these should be appropriate for the destination type and dwell time. For example, applying overnight idle fees at destinations offering accommodation (where guests are likely to leave cars charging overnight) would not be considered appropriate and may discourage visitors from spending time at your business.

Apps such as PlugShare can help you understand local charging options and pricing. When comparing prices, keep in mind that fast public EV chargers often charge higher fees because of their higher installation and operating costs.

Promoting your EV charging facilities

Many EV drivers plan their journeys around available charging locations. EV drivers often use charging maps and apps to plan their journeys. Once your charger is installed, make sure visitors can easily find accurate information about it.

Considerations to promote your EV charger:

  • Update your charger information and photos on apps such as PlugShare and your Google Business Profile.
  • Promote EV charging on your website, social media channels and online listings. Include photos of your EV charger and where it is located so visitors know what to expect.
  • Update your Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing to include your EV charging facilities. This helps ensure visitors can see this information when researching and planning trips through visitnsw.com, sydney.com and other tourism channels
  • Inform your local tourism organisation, Visitor Information Centre and relevant industry partners about your charging facilities
  • Promote your business to EV driver groups, communities and online forums.
  • Use clear signage to help visitors locate and access the charger
  • Consider offering incentives such as complimentary or discounted charging
  • Include EV charging as part of accommodation packages, visitor experiences or special offers

Information for visitors

Providing clear and accurate information about your EV charging facilities can help visitors plan their journey, understand what to expect and make it easier for them to find and use your charger.

Consider providing information such as:

  • A map showing the location of the EV charger, particularly if it is not immediately visible or is located within a large site.
  • Whether visitors need to bring their own portable charger or Type 2 charging cable, or whether one is provided.
  • Whether charging is free or paid.
  • Whether charging is available to the public or only to visitors and customers.
  • Any apps required to start, monitor or pay for charging.
  • The charging level and charging speed available.
  • How many EV chargers are available.
  • Whether charging can be booked, or is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Any access requirements, operating hours or parking restrictions.

Providing this information upfront helps avoid confusion, improves the charging experience and gives visitors confidence when planning their visit.

Help your team support EV drivers

Your team plays an important role in delivering a positive EV charging experience. Staff should understand how the charging facilities operate and be able to assist visitors with basic questions or direct them to additional support when needed.

To support visitors using your EV charger, staff should know:

  • Where the charger is located, how it works and any rules for its use.
  • Who to contact if there is a fault or maintenance issue.
  • How to identify common problems, such as a charger that is offline, damaged or unable to connect.
  • How charging payments are managed, if payment is required.
  • What to do if a non-EV vehicle is parked in a designated charging space.
  • What alternative charging options are available nearby if your charger is in use or unavailable.

Encourage staff to:

  • Check visitor feedback and reviews on platforms such as Google and PlugShare.
  • Report any issues that may affect the charging experience, such as blocked access, damaged equipment or overgrown vegetation around the charger.

Well-informed staff can help visitors charge with confidence and contribute to a positive visitor experience.

Setting expectations for EV charging

Clear information and signage can help visitors understand how your EV charging facilities operate and contribute to a positive charging experience.

Consider using signage to communicate:

  • Whether charging is free or paid
  • Who can use the EV charger (for example, visitors only or the general public)
  • Any charging fees, time limits or maximum charging periods
  • The hours during which charging is available
  • Whether visitors need to bring their own charging cable
  • How to start a charging session or access support
  • Any booking requirements

You may also wish to provide guidance such as:

  • Please move your vehicle once charging is complete.
  • EV charging is only available between specified hours.
  • If other drivers are waiting, please charge only to 80% where practical.
  • Charging bays are reserved for EVs while actively charging.
  • Charging during daylight hours is encouraged to make the most of on-site solar generation, where available.

By setting clear expectations and providing reliable charging, accurate information and a positive visitor experience, your EV charger can become a valuable part of your business offering and help attract EV drivers to your destination.

Electric Vehicle Case Studies

Every visitor economy business is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to EV charging. The following case studies demonstrate how visitor economy businesses have successfully used EV charging to meet visitor needs, support business objectives, and enhance the overall visitor experience.

Dawning Day Farms

Watch here

Hamilton’s Queanbeyan Motel

Watch here

Resources