EV Charging is a Must-Have Amenity for Hotel Guests and Employees
As electric cars become more and more popular, it's important for hotels to offer EV charging as an amenity. Not only is this a great way to provide guests with a convenient service, but it can also help improve the hotel's bottom line. Electric car charging is becoming increasingly important for both guests and employees, so make sure your hotel is prepared!
The hospitality sector, especially hotels, has long had a hand in moulding customer preferences. Hotels have played a role in shaping consumer attitudes towards lifestyle modifications for each generation, with TVs in rooms to high-end bedding. Now is the time for hoteliers to capitalise on an untapped market of EV owners by investing in EV charging stations now, before reservations are required. Hotels will be able to attract the guest of tomorrow ahead of time if they invest in EV charging stations today and tap into the hospitality industry's natural link with transportation's current energy shift toward electric vehicles.
It’s Not Where You Charge An EV, It’s What You Do While Charging
Hoteliers have invested years into sustainable business practices in order to benefit the environment, attract customers, and boost their profits. Electric vehicle charging stations, like solar technology, aid all three of these goals, but most importantly it responds to changing customer demands. Electric vehicles are becoming more and more affordable, and maintaining one requires fewer resources than gasoline-powered vehicles.
As the world moves away from fossil fuel to electric vehicles, billions of pounds are being invested, spent or planned to put in more EV charging.
The new EV planning is still stuck thinking about petrol cars, which is how much of this planning continues "petrol mentality," or thinking that EVs are similar to petrol vehicles you drive around for a while before filling up when the tank is dry. Traditional drivers are afraid of electric cars because they know they take longer to charge, and they don’t easily get away from their petrol thinking.
It's crucial to understand that it's more about when you charge than where you do so, and more specifically, what you do while charging. The “where” of the situation is determined by the above factors. Even when it becomes technically feasible, 5-minute rapid charges that compare to petrol will probably not be the norm.
This is where hotels can harvest this opportunity and maximise the opportunity that a hotel stay can bring. Today, there is no longer a contest. When the sun goes down, demand for electricity drops to its lowest level, and supply costs fall. And of course it takes no time from your day. At the moment, there are more than 15,000 EV charging sites in the UK. Of those locations, 1,266 are connected to hotels or other lodging facilities. The most common EV charging stations are home or hotel-based. Because of this, any incentives should be aimed at locations where people park after dark.
Reasons why a hotel is perfect for electric vehicle charging
From check in to check out, a hotel guest can leave their car in the parking spot all evening, night and morning. A perfect amount of time to charge their vehicle. For guests who are not staying at the hotel overnight and instead are there for other hotel functions such as a wedding, business function, trade show etc, this still offers ample time for EV charging systems to suitably charge an Electric Vehicle.
Hotels also benefit from EV charging points because their car parks are already ideally laid out to accommodate a large number of parking spots for guests. Off street parking of course is essential for EV charging points.
Offering a sales feature to more than just hotels
Hotels are one of the most common examples of a hospitality business that may profit from Electric Vehicle Charging. EV Charging Points may be used by Guesthouses, Holiday Homes, Lodge/Cabin Rentals, and Bed & Breakfast locations. Making more sites accessible to offer differentiation will allow you to capatilize on the current staycation boom. With more and more drivers opting for electric cars, the demand for charging stations will naturally rise as a result. It is a good business strategy to get an early lead over the competition.
How can your business benefit from hotel electric car charging?
Make the most of fee-based charging or offer it as a complimentary service
Attract more new eco-tourism and premium electric vehicle visitors
Build charging into loyalty or reward schemes
Increase revenue per available room
Promote your hotel in prominent map services and navigation systems
Increase the quality of your hotel classification system by obtaining higher ratings
More favourable reviews may be found on popular travel sites
Increased loyalty and a better customer experience
Position your hotel as a sustainability leader and distinguish yourself as an environmental trailblazer
At a hotel, who can use EV Charging Points?
Onsite EV Charging allows everyone to benefit, including guests, hotel staff, and even the shuttle buses that take guests around town. When a potential hotel client goes through the filtering options while seeking for a hotel, some criteria are more significant than others. Wifi, breakfast facilities, a swimming pool…..and now EV Charging Facilities. Having a spot to charge your electric car while you unwind on a getaway provides visitors with a new level of relaxation.
Thinking about the long term strategy
Hotel operators must also begin to consider long-term strategies for enhancing their brands and increasing the value of their facilities, especially if incentives to install EV charging stations end at the year's end. Investing in technology and practices that minimise the carbon footprint of a hotel property, such as electric vehicle supply equipment or EVSES, is another approach to boost the value of a lodging asset.
Take the next step with hotel electric car charging
There are many different EV charging solutions to meet the needs of different-sized and kind hotels or hospitality businesses. Some companies require a pre-packaged solution with self-management, while others want back-end connections, third-party management, and various specialist suppliers.
At Siemlus we've worked with a wide range of clients including large companies and single sites, as well as different resellers, to investigate charging network operators, and payment systems providers, with installation and technical support should you o ahead with installing an EV solution for your property.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles are still relatively new but are growing exponentially year on year due to their efficiency, cost savings, and environmental benefits. The growing influence and stature of sustainability in the Hospitality and Leisure industry are becoming an important consideration for any hotel group wanting to improve its brand and compete in the market.
Hotels are spending millions of pounds on upgrades and future developments. Earning a competitive advantage by investing in EV charge points today will help hotels not just stand out but also set the pace for environmental sustainability across the UK and Europe. Using technology to set the pace is something the hotel industry has always been behind in but now it’s time to lead.