EV charging & holiday cottage: Why installing an EV charger is a smart investment

Meet the needs of a new generation of travellers 

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche trend. Across Europe, more travellers are choosing electric cars for both everyday journeys and holidays. 

Thanks to improved battery technology and longer driving ranges, guests can now comfortably travel across Europe without relying on traditional fuel. 

For holiday property owners, installing an EV charging holiday cottage solution offers significant benefits, including: 

• Increased bookings
• Improved guest satisfaction
• Greater property appeal
• Future-proofing your investment
• Supporting sustainable tourism  

Installing an EV charging station at your property can increase its appeal, improve the guest experience and help future-proof your investment as demand for electric vehicle charging continues to grow. 

As electric mobility continues to grow, providing on-site charging is becoming an expected amenity rather than a luxury. 

Electric mobility is growing across Europe 

Electric vehicle adoption continues to rise rapidly throughout Europe. 

According to Eurostat*: 

• Nearly 5.8 million battery-electric passenger cars were registered in the EU in 2024.

This represents:

• 115× more EVs than in 2013
• 10× more than in 2019
• Battery-electric vehicles now account for 2.2% of the EU passenger car fleet, compared with just 0.02% in 2013.  

Demand is growing across many popular holiday destinations, including: 

• Netherlands
• France
• Germany
• Belgium
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Italy
• Spain
• Nordic countries  

As more travellers arrive by electric car, holiday accommodation with on-site EV charging is becoming increasingly desirable. 
 
* Source: Eurostat – Electric Vehicle Statistics

Why guests prefer an EV charging holiday cottage 

Convenience is one of the biggest factors when choosing holiday accommodation. 

Guests travelling in electric vehicles want to recharge overnight instead of searching for public charging stations after a long journey. 

Benefits for guests 

An EV charging station allows guests to: 

• charge their vehicle overnight
• avoid queues at public charging points
• enjoy greater peace of mind during longer journeys
• start every day with a fully charged vehicle
• experience a smoother, stress-free holiday  

Today, EV charging is becoming just as desirable as: 

• free Wi-Fi
• private parking
• air conditioning
• swimming pools
• fast internet  

Benefits of installing an EV charger for your holiday cottage 

Providing EV charging creates a clear competitive advantage. 

Key benefits for owners 

• Attract the growing number of EV drivers
• Increase visibility on booking platforms with EV charging filters
• Improve guest satisfaction
• Generate more positive reviews
• Differentiate your property from competitors
• Support sustainable tourism
• Future-proof your holiday rental  

As EV ownership continues to increase, properties with charging facilities are likely to attract a wider audience. 

Why a dedicated EV charging station is the best option 

If you are considering adding EV charging to your property, a dedicated private EV charging station is the safest and most practical option. Although you could technically charge an electric vehicle using a domestic socket, this is not recommended. Domestic sockets are not designed for prolonged high-load use. Older or poorly installed sockets may overheat, posing a potential safety risk! 

Charging via a standard socket can result in: 

• slow charging speeds
• increased strain on household wiring
• limited monitoring of electricity usage
• reduced safety  

A professionally installed EV charging station provides: 

• faster charging
• improved safety
• reliable operation
• better energy management
• easier monitoring of electricity costs  

For most European holiday cottages, a type 2 charging socket is the preferred option because: 

• it is the European charging standard.
• guests usually bring their own charging cable.  

sSocket-only units are less vulnerable to damage or vandalism.  

What to consider before installing an EV charger 

Before installing an EV charging station, check the following: 

1. Electrical capacity 

Can your property's electrical supply support EV charging ?  
1. Avoid oversizing the installation. Choose a charging capacity that matches your guests' actual charging needs.  
2. Where possible, power your EV charging point with renewable energy by installing solar panels or choosing a certified green electricity provider. 

2. Parking availability 

Is there a safe off-road parking space where guests can charge? 
1. Place the charger in a sheltered location to protect it from weather and avoid unnecessary energy losses. 
2. Maintain cables and equipment regularly to ensure safe and efficient operation. 

3. Internet connectivity 

Will your EV charger require a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection for smart charging and remote monitoring?  

Future-proof your investment by choosing a charger that supports software updates or has replaceable components, helping to extend its lifespan.

4. Guest information  
Provide clear instructions so guests can use the charger safely and efficiently. 
Choose a smart, energy-efficient charger that meets your property's needs and offers a simple charging experience for guests, for example through contactless or credit card payment.

5. Property permissions 

If your property belongs to a homeowners' association, do you need approval before installation? 

A qualified electrician or EV charging specialist can recommend the most suitable installation. 

Future-Proof your holiday rental 

Guest expectations continue to evolve. 

As electric vehicles become increasingly common, many travellers actively search for accommodation with charging facilities. 

Installing an EV charger today helps: 

• Increase future bookings
• Improve guest experience
• Support environmentally responsible travel
• Enhance your property's long-term competitiveness  

Rather than simply adding another amenity, you're investing in the future value of your holiday cottage. 

Why choose Interhome?

As demand for EV-friendly accommodation grows, guests increasingly filter their accommodation searches to include properties with EV charging. 

Holiday cottages with EV charging stations benefit from: 

• greater visibility in search results
• increased exposure to EV-owning travellers
• improved booking opportunities  

Interhome helps maximise your property's potential through: 

• Extensive marketing reach
• Local property management expertise
• Flexible rental services
• More than 60 years of experience  

Since 1965, Interhome has helped holiday homeowners successfully rent their properties. 

Today, Interhome manages more than 70,000 holiday homes and apartments across 20+ European countries. 

Frequently Asked Questions: EV charging & holiday cottage

Is installing an EV charging station worth it for a holiday cottage? 

Yes. As EV ownership grows, more guests actively search for accommodation with charging facilities. An EV charging station can improve guest satisfaction, increase bookings and make your property more competitive. 

Can guests use a normal household socket? 

While it is technically possible, charging via a standard household socket is generally not recommended. It is significantly slower, may place additional strain on the property's electrical system and offers limited control over electricity consumption. 

Dedicated EV chargers are: 

• Safer
• Faster
• More energy efficient
• Easier to monitor  

While it is technically possible to charge an electric vehicle using a standard household socket, it is strongly recommended not to do so. Standard household sockets are not designed for the high continuous loads required to charge an EV over many hours. 

Charging via a domestic socket may result in: 

• A risk of overheating, particularly with older or poorly maintained electrical installations.
• Electrical installation limitations, as domestic circuits may have aged wiring, loose connections or insufficient circuit protection.
• An increased risk of electrical faults or power outages, especially when circuits are operating close to their maximum capacity for extended periods.
• Very slow charging, often taking more than a full day to recharge the battery.
• Lower charging efficiency, resulting in higher energy losses compared with a dedicated EV charger.  

A dedicated EV charger is the safer and more practical solution. It offers: 

• Enhanced safety through built-in protection features.
• Faster charging.
• Higher energy efficiency.
• Better monitoring and control of electricity consumption.
• Smart charging features, such as scheduled charging and load management. 

Which EV charger is best for a holiday home? 

Most European holiday homes benefit from a type 2 charging socket, the standard used by most electric vehicles across Europe. 

What should I check before installation? 

Before installing an EV charger, ensure your property has: 

• Sufficient electrical capacity
• Safe off-road parking
• Reliable Wi-Fi or mobile connectivity (if required)
• Any necessary permissions from homeowners' associations  

Will an EV charging station increase bookings? 

Yes. 

Many guests actively filter accommodation listings to find properties with EV charging. 

Offering this feature can: 

• Improve visibility
• Increase enquiries
• Attract environmentally conscious travellers
• Differentiate your property

Can owners charge guests for electricity? 

Yes, depending on the charging solution. 

Many smart charging systems allow owners to: 

• Track electricity consumption
• Set charging fees
• Monitor usage through an app
• Accept direct guest payments, for example by credit card or contactless payment  

Direct payment by guests is often the fairest and simplest option, as each guest only pays for the electricity they use. 

Is EV charging only important in countries with high EV ownership? 

No. 

Electric vehicle tourism is growing throughout Europe, including: 

• France
• Spain
• Italy
• Croatia
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Germany
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Scandinavian countries 

Providing charging facilities prepares your holiday cottage for future travel trends. 

Does EV charging support sustainable tourism? 

Yes. 

Providing EV charging encourages lower-emission travel and demonstrates your commitment to environmentally responsible tourism. 

Can installing an EV charger increase property value? 

While property value depends on many factors, an EV charging station can increase your property's attractiveness to both holiday guests and future buyers as electric mobility becomes more widespread.