The meaning of “luxury” in the hospitality industry is evolving, which is great news. Traditionally linked to “expensive,” luxury now emphasizes exceptional customer service, as revealed by a survey conducted by Morning Consult. Any destination can offer outstanding service, and in the era of electric vehicles (EVs), a significant aspect of that service is the ability of hotels and resorts to provide EV charging facilities. Here's what hotel managers need to know about redefining luxury with EV charging.
Relaxed luxury with EVs
Providing EV charging won’t automatically make a hotel or resort a luxury destination, but it will certainly enhance the hotel’s reputation. The same Morning Consult survey revealed that respondents prioritize relaxation during their vacations. They seek comfort and exceptional customer service. For EV owners and renters, part of this relaxation comes from knowing that EV charging is readily available nearby.
Road trippers prefer to stay at places where they can recharge their vehicles overnight while they sleep, and those who rent EVs for their stay want the convenience of knowing they can always charge their vehicles easily.
Selecting EV charging stations for hotels and resorts
When deciding on the type of chargers to install at your hotel or resort. Consider the level of luxury you want to provide for your guests.
Level 2 (L2) charging stations, such as the Blink Series 8 Level 2 EV charging station, will satisfy most guests. These stations can generally charge an EV battery in four to eight hours, allowing guests to enjoy the pool, resort amenities, or get a good night’s sleep while their EV charges. Level 2 chargers are also beneficial for hotels hosting conferences or business meetings, enabling EV drivers to charge their vehicles during sessions.
For your hotel shuttle, you could choose Level 2 chargers for overnight charging or a Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC) like the Blink 60kW – 360 kW DC fast charger, which can charge an EV battery in under an hour. While a DCFC involves higher installation costs, it allows you to charge a premium fee for its usage.
The Blink advantage
Hosting Blink L2 charging stations or Blink DCFCs at your hotel or resort offers distinct advantages. Blink provides a variety of business models to suit your needs, including:
Host Owned: This option is perfect for service locations. Blink's host-owned option is ideal for businesses that want to be the sole owner and operator of their EV charging stations.This is perfect for service locations. Blink's Host Owned option is ideal for businesses that want to be the sole owner and operator of their EV charging stations.
Blink as a Service: Blink’s subscription program provides an EV charging station with a low upfront cost, giving you all the control of ownership without any of the hassle.
Hybrid Owned: With the hybrid-owned program, Blink covers the cost of equipment, operations, and administration. All you need to do is make the site EV charger ready.
Blink Owned: For select locations, Blink will provide the installation, equipment, operations, administration, and share a portion of the revenues with the host.
No matter which business model you choose, hosting EV charging stations at your hotel will attract more guests and foster customer loyalty. You’ll also add new revenue streams or increase rates for the service, enhance your sustainability efforts, and upgrade your hotel with the latest and most innovative amenities available.
Getting started with hotel and resort EV charging
Getting started with EV charging at your hotel or resort is simple.
Gauging demand
Before installing EV charging stations, gather feedback from your guests and potential guests. Conduct market research to estimate how many charging stations you’ll need.
Surveys show that 78% of luxury travelers prefer companies with strong sustainability policies, and 75% of travelers are willing to pay higher fees for eco-friendly options if they know how the funds are used. EV charging stations are a tangible way to show guests your commitment to sustainability.
Assessing your site
After completing your market research, schedule a site assessment with Blink. We can recommend a certified EV charging installation electrician from our extensive network, or work with your preferred certified installer. Your facilities director will also participate in the assessment. During the assessment, we discuss your EV charging goals, your hotel or resort’s current electrical capabilities, required permits, and the best locations to install charging stations.
*Note: Publicly available charging stations in California must be installed by an EVITP-certified installer.
Choosing your charging station sites
Choosing sites for charging stations involves many considerations, especially when aiming to keep costs low. Some seemingly ideal locations might require extensive trenching, wiring, and conduit work, making them less feasible.
During our site assessment, we will identify the best locations for charging stations to balance customer demand and cost efficiency. You might benefit from local load management and installing make-ready EV charging infrastructure for easier future expansion.
