Kitu Systems has deployed its Expedition Charge Management System (CMS) at two short-term rental properties in Alhambra, California, bringing managed electric vehicle charging to guests staying at the multi-unit vacation rentals.
The two properties, which operate as short-term rentals on Vrbo, each feature four Wallbox Pulsar Pro Level 2 charging stations. Together, the sites provide eight charging ports for guests to use during their stays. Guest EV charging at the properties went live in August 2026. For property owners, the deployment shows how Kitu’s Expedition CMS can turn EV charging into a managed guest amenity by simplifying access, billing, energy monitoring, and ongoing operations.
Deployment Overview
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Location | Alhambra, California (2 Vrbo properties) |
| Hardware | 8x Wallbox Pulsar Pro Level 2 chargers (4 per property) |
| Software | Kitu Expedition Charge Management System |
| Go-Live | August 2026 |
| Use Case | Guest EV charging for short-term stays |
Expedition CMS Adapts EV Charging to Short-Term Guests
Short-term rental properties have different charging requirements from apartment buildings and other residential locations. A multifamily property may serve the same residents for months or years, while a vacation rental regularly accommodates new guests with different vehicles, charging requirements, and lengths of stay. This rotating user base requires property operators to manage who can access the chargers and how charging sessions are billed.
Kitu said it worked directly with the property owner to analyze expected driver behavior and align the charging system with the guest experience the operator wanted to provide. The company then configured the flexible access and billing capabilities of its Expedition Charge Management System for the vacation-rental environment.
Expedition CMS provides web-based applications for property owners and EV drivers. The platform supports charger connectivity, site management, user access, payments, energy monitoring, and load management across multiple charging stations. For the Alhambra deployment, these functions allow the property operator to provide charging to a changing group of guests while retaining control over access, electricity consumption, and billing.
Eight Wallbox Level 2 Charging Ports Support Overnight Stays
Each property has four Wallbox Pulsar Pro Level 2 charging stations, giving the two locations a combined total of eight charging ports. The charging hardware integrates with Kitu’s Expedition CMS to create a managed solution covering access control, billing, charging activity, and ongoing administration.
Level 2 charging is suited to hospitality and destination-charging applications because guests can recharge while their vehicles are already parked. At a short-term rental property, charging can take place overnight or during other extended periods when visitors do not need to use their vehicles. This model allows the charging service to become part of the stay rather than requiring guests to make a separate visit to a public charging station.
Kitu said the combination of Wallbox hardware and Expedition CMS is intended to make EV charging easier for property owners to install and manage. The platform can support residential, commercial, and hospitality properties while providing a consistent management layer for site operators.
Vacation Rental Guests Increasingly Seek EV Charging
The deployment reflects growing interest in on-site EV charging as a hospitality amenity. According to data cited by Kitu, Airbnb reported that searches using its EV charger filter increased by more than 80% between 2022 and 2023. Airbnb also found that listings offering an EV charger were booked for more nights and generated more income on average than listings without charging, based on the company’s internal data. California was among the most popular US states for EV charger searches in 2023.
Although the Alhambra properties operate on Vrbo rather than Airbnb, the figures indicate that access to EV charging is becoming a consideration for travelers when choosing accommodation.
“Short-term rental properties have a real opportunity to turn EV charging into a genuine guest amenity,” said Mark Rodholm, Vice President of Business Development at Kitu Systems.
“Guests increasingly expect to charge where they stay, and a property that offers it stands out. What excites us about this deployment is showing that Expedition can adapt to a hospitality setting just as easily as a residential or commercial one.”
Kitu Combines Charger Management with Energy Controls
Expedition CMS is designed to integrate with equipment from multiple EV charging manufacturers using industry-standard interfaces. This allows site operators to manage different charging hardware through the same software environment.
In addition to billing and access control, the platform allows property owners and drivers to monitor energy consumption and charging costs. It also provides load-management capabilities that can control energy distribution across a site and its individual charging stations. These functions can be relevant for multi-unit properties where several guests may attempt to charge vehicles at the same time. Managing the available electrical load can help the operator coordinate charging activity within the capacity available at the property.
Expedition CMS supports applications ranging from residential and workplace Level 2 charging to high-power DC charging. Kitu launched the platform for the wider EV charging market in 2025, with capabilities covering connectivity, payments, access control, charger management, and integration with distributed energy resources.
The Alhambra project extends the platform into the short-term rental market and demonstrates how managed charging can be configured around temporary guests rather than permanent residents or employees.
For more information, visit Kitu Systems’ official announcement or explore the Expedition CMS platform.
FAQ: Kitu Guest EV Charging for Vacation Rentals
How does guest EV charging work at short-term rentals?
Guests access chargers via the Expedition CMS platform, which handles authentication, session billing and energy monitoring — all tailored to rotating short-term stays.
What hardware and software are used in the Alhambra deployment?
Eight Wallbox Pulsar Pro Level 2 chargers (4 per property) managed by Kitu’s Expedition Charge Management System for access, billing and load control.
Why is EV charging becoming a valuable amenity for vacation rentals?
Airbnb data shows listings with chargers book more nights and earn more revenue, while EV charger filter searches grew over 80% from 2022 to 2023 — signaling strong traveler demand.
