If a guest arrives in an electric car, being able to charge where they’re staying or spending the afternoon can make their visit much easier. For a hotel, pub, holiday cottage or visitor attraction, it can also turn a parking space into a useful service that earns money.

But an EV charger only works well for a venue if the practical details are right. How long do people park? Who pays for the electricity? Will the charger be open to the public? And who does a guest call if they need help?

This guide walks through those decisions so you can choose a hospitality EV charging setup that suits your site and your guests.

Why offer EV charging at a hospitality venue?

The main benefit is convenience. A hotel guest can plug in after check-in and leave with more charge the next morning. Someone visiting a pub, golf club or attraction can charge while they’re already on site. They don’t have to plan a separate stop.

Charging can also help potential visitors find and choose your venue when they’re looking for somewhere that accommodates their car. For the business, paid charging provides a direct income stream. Any extra bookings or on-site spending are possible benefits, but they shouldn’t be assumed when calculating a return.

The strongest reason to install is one that fits your customers. If guests regularly ask where they can charge, or you have parking spaces occupied for several hours at a time, there is a practical case to explore.

Which EV chargers suit hotels, pubs and other venues?

Start with the length of a typical visit, then check the electrical capacity available at the site.

A 22kW charger won't make every vehicle charge at 22kW. Likewise, a 7kW charger doesn't guarantee a full battery overnight: the time depends on the car, its starting charge and how long it remains plugged in. A site survey is the sensible way to decide the number, location and power of the chargers.

Put the bays somewhere guests can find them without blocking entrances or creating awkward cable routes. Think about lighting, signs, access for staff and whether a non-guest should be allowed to use them.

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What does hospitality EV charging cost?

There are two separate costs: getting the chargers installed and running them.

Installation depends on the number of chargers, their distance from the electrical supply, any groundworks and whether the existing supply needs work. A quote should spell out the equipment, installation, ongoing charges and who owns the chargers. Check any available grant against the current eligibility rules rather than assuming it will apply to your venue.

For a paid charging session, a simple starting calculation is:

Driver's payment − electricity cost − provider fee = amount retained by the venue before other costs.

With voltshare's hospitality EV charging solution, the venue buys the chargers and sets the price drivers pay. There are no fixed monthly fees or long-term land leases; voltshare takes a 15% fee on a successful charge. Your return therefore depends on your electricity tariff, the price you choose, usage and the initial installation cost.

Ask for a projection based on your likely usage, and check what happens in quieter months. A busy hotel and a seasonal holiday cottage will have different payback periods.

Make charging straightforward for guests and staff

Good hospitality charging should need very little attention from reception.

At voltshare sites, drivers can start a charge by scanning the charger’s QR code without downloading an app, or use the voltshare app. Where a contactless terminal is installed, they can use that too. voltshare handles automatic payments and provides 24/7 driver support, so a guest has someone to contact even when the venue team is busy.

Venue owners can monitor use and set charging prices, including a different price for staff where appropriate. That matters if you want charging to serve both visitors and your team without giving up control of the parking spaces.

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What should you tell guests about your chargers?

Once the chargers are live, make the details easy to find. Add EV charging to your website, booking listings and arrival information. Say how many bays you have, who can use them, whether access is restricted, how payment works and where to park. If the chargers are available to the public, check that their location and access details are accurate on the maps drivers use.

Avoid promising every guest a full charge overnight or saying a bay will always be free. Clear, practical information is more helpful than a broad sustainability claim.

You can also share what charging has meant at a real venue. For example, White House Cottages needed a way to meet growing guest interest in charging without creating extra work for the owners. A paid, managed setup gave guests a straightforward service while the venue kept control of pricing.

How do you choose an EV charging provider?

Compare the whole arrangement, not just the price of a charger. Ask each provider:

1. Who owns the equipment and parking-space rights?
2. Are there monthly fees, revenue-share fees, leases or minimum terms?
3. Can the venue set guest and staff prices?
4. Can drivers pay without downloading an app?
5. Who handles failed sessions, refunds and out-of-hours support?
6. What is included in installation, connectivity, maintenance and signage?
7. Can you see usage and revenue clearly?

The right answer depends on your site. A fully funded model may reduce upfront spend but can involve a different agreement over the parking spaces and charging income. Buying the chargers involves an initial cost but may give you more control over how they’re used. Ask for the complete terms and a realistic usage forecast before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to plan EV charging for your venue?

The best setup starts with your parking spaces, electrical supply and the way guests actually use the site. Explore voltshare's hospitality EV charging solution or book a free site survey to talk through the options and get a proposal for your venue.