Hotels with EV Charging Stations Entice New Set of Customers

Gas may be cheap, but electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly popular with environmentally focused car consumers.

According to the Electric Drive Transportation Association, more than 100,000 electric plug-in vehicles were sold in 2014, a 24 percent increase from the previous year. And where there are electric cars there must also be charging stations. Hoteliers have found that installing these stations at these properties can entice a new set of weary travelers who need to recharge—and probably get some rest, too.

As the asset manager of his family-owned Wyndham Philadelphia-Mount Laurel hotel, as well as the vice president of business for U-Go charging stations, Rishi Shah is committed to sustainable business practices. In 2013, the hotel installed a U-Go Level 2 charger, a 220-volt source most commonly used for charging a vehicle over a few hours, and one Level 3 charger, a 480-volt source meant for a quick supercharge. The hotel currently averages 15 to 20 charging events per month and revenue shares with U-Go. Verdek and Fuji Electric have similar charging stations for use in hotels.

Even if drivers stop by only for a quick pick-me-up, Shah says their patronage—which often depends on customers finding charging stations via mobile apps, websites, and social media—is still valuable. “Some people were just coming in for 20 to 30 minutes and, for the convenience charge, maybe using the free Wi-Fi or having a meal at the restaurant.”

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While the Wyndham Philadelphia-Mount Laurel is certainly a frontrunner in this new world, it is not alone. Per AH&LA’s 2014 Lodging Survey, the percentage of hotels offering charging stations has grown from 5 percent to 11 percent in two years.

Other chains that have installed charging stations include Marriott Hotels and Marcus Hotels & Resorts. Usage fees vary depending on the charging station company and hotel, but Shah says EV owners will come and pay. “They’re going to find a place to plug in because they need to charge.”

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