EV driver rules out hotels without charging on Florida road trip: 'It's like an automatic no'

For content creator Josh Charles, a lack of electric vehicle charging is enough to rule out a hotel before he even checks the room rate.

Charles recounted a 1,100-mile family drive between Pennsylvania and Florida.

Here's what to know

In a YouTube video posted to his Coul St. channel (@chargeeverywhere), Charles described traveling to Florida's panhandle in his Chevy Bolt electric vehicle with his wife, son, and dog. A hotel had to suit the family's budget and standards while welcoming their dog and providing a place to charge.

Using filters on Expedia.com or Hotels.com narrowed his options to Roanoke, Va. No hotel farther along the route met their requirements, so the family stopped sooner than they would have liked.

"But if you don't have charging, it's like an automatic no," he declared. "I'm not going to your establishment."

With on-site charging, Charles can head straight into the day's drive instead of stopping immediately at a charger. During daytime stops, he typically charges from around 20% to 60%-80%, so starting at 100% also gives the family a longer first stretch of driving.

More background

Charles described a Best Western in Roanoke that offered six charging units, designated EV-charging spaces, and complimentary charging for guests. He reported that the J1772 units worked, though he hadn't tested the Tesla units.

Free charging also helped offset the room price. Charles said some properties would charge around $30 to replenish his Bolt, making him willing to pay somewhat more for a room at the Best Western because charging was included.

At one location, a charger failed to work with his car's delayed-charging setting, leaving him with roughly 50%-55% battery the following morning. That meant one or two additional charging stops during the drive.

He attributed the problem to the charging equipment rather than hotel management.

What can be done?

Before booking, Charles checks PlugShare reviews for reports of broken equipment, high prices, or charging spaces blocked by gas-powered vehicles. He also ruled out a hotel whose advertised charging wasn't listed on the app.

A user had a similar process: "I always filter for EV chargers. For hotels, AirBnB, etc."

Charles wanted hotel operators to make sure front-desk staff understood the setup and guests had clear instructions. His requests also included keeping the equipment working and reserving spaces for charging.

YouTube commenters also discussed checking billing rules. One reported receiving a $138 idle fee bill after their car finished charging at 2 a.m. at a hotel in Valley Forge, Pa. They said the charging provider ultimately issued a "one time courtesy refund."

For another commenter, verifying charging availability required a phone conversation with the front desk, not just a look at the hotel's website.

"I am more interested in EV charging than I am in a pool, a gym, or a business center," another commenter said.

Where can I learn more?

Finding a hotel with charging is only part of planning an EV road trip. 

• A North Carolina Tesla driver made six charging stops costing $104 over 1,600 miles.

• An F-150 Lightning encountered just two charger snags during a 6,900-mile U.S. road trip.

• In Alaska, a Tesla camping trip cost $190 despite no chargers beyond Anchorage.

• An Oregon-to-California EV trip became easier, but fast-charging costs remained a concern.

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