For hotels and other lodgings, EV charging stations have transitioned from niche amenities to must-haves.
There are already well over two million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road in North America, and the International Energy Agency predicts that EVs will account for 60% of all new auto sales by the decade's end. With so many more travelers driving electric vehicles, charging stations are now like Wi-Fi—guests simply expect hotels to offer them.
The good news is that installing EV charging stations, or upgrading aging ones, doesn’t necessarily mean additional costs for hotels, motels, resorts, vacation rentals, or other destinations. Your business stands to benefit just as much as your customers.
Three benefits of adopting EV charging stations
Customer convenience and satisfaction
If you can’t provide a customer with a reliable EV charger, they may opt for a hotel that can. But if your guests leave in the morning with a full battery charge, they’re far more likely to become a returning customer, refer your business, or write a positive online review. Guests will drive away even more satisfied if your hotel allows them to charge their battery on the house.
A digital customer magnet
Mentioning your charging stations online can help you connect to customers who are actively searching for hotels with EV chargers. For example, you can list vehicle charging as an amenity on travel sites like Google Maps and TripAdvisor. You can also add your business to directories used by EV drivers, such as ChargeHub or PlugShare.
Savings and sustainability achievements for your business
Just as many people take advantage of tax incentives and rebates to purchase an electric vehicle, hotels can capitalize on similar options to offset the purchase of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Recognized as a necessary building component for a greener future, EV chargers can help count towards a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification alongside other property upgrades, like water efficiency improvements.
You can also use your EV chargers to power company or employee vehicles, highlighting your sustainability efforts to customers and potential job candidates.
How to design your hotel's EV charging plan
After evaluating your customers' current and future EV charging needs, you can zero in on optimal locations and equipment choices. Before investing in and installing any EV charging stations, you should give careful thought to the following considerations.
Location
Enphase EV Chargers can be safely installed either indoors or outdoors. To find the perfect location, consider what’s best for your customers and your property.
You can minimize the costs of wiring and protection by installing the stations as close to a building's electrical service panels as possible—perhaps alongside prime parking spots for EV owners near building entrances.
When wall mounting is unavailable, you can convert existing parking spaces anywhere on the property into EV charging stations with pedestal-mounted equipment.
Number of chargers
Some of your customers likely already ask if they can charge their electric vehicles on your property. To determine your ideal number of chargers, you can begin forecasting demand by routinely asking guests if they ever travel by EV.
If you don’t have a definitive demand forecast, you may want to start small by installing a handful of EV charging stations and then gradually adding more as customer preferences change. That said, the more stations you install at the outset, the more you may be able to save on overall installation costs in the long term.
Charging speed
You may be satisfied with Level 1 equipment, but installing Level 2 commercial EV charging stations can provide a significant value-add for your customers. Level 2 stations offer greater charging speeds—when plugged into a standard electrical outlet, Level 1 chargers usually provide three to five miles of range per hour of charging. Level 2 chargers, in contrast, usually provide 25 to 60 miles of range per hour.
Safety features
When you install public EV charging stations, you need to guarantee they can safely operate through ongoing use. In addition to the necessary electrical equipment to protect against faults, overcurrents, or short circuits, all charging station parts should be manufactured and installed to withstand rain, snow, blowing dust, and other potential weather-related issues.
All Enphase EV Chargers are ENERGY STAR® certified, NEMA 4 certified for outdoor installation and UL- or ETL-listed for safety, and our IQ and HCS models are covered by an industry-leading, 5-year limited warranty.
Go with a pro
Beyond choosing the right equipment, you can help ensure a successful investment by finding a professional installer. By working with a reputable company or contractor to install and maintain your EV chargers, you’ll minimize the chances of needing repairs. You’ll also have their help if a part malfunctions or suffers damage.
While you may be tempted to cut costs by finding the cheapest option available, hiring a vetted installer who offers high-quality equipment is the best way to reduce your hotel's long-term EV charging costs.
Modernize your hotel with EV charging
As EV ownership continues to rise, hotels and other lodging businesses are especially positioned to profit. By guaranteeing EV drivers a place to charge their vehicles, you’ll be offering another reason for customers to stay—and to return again and again.
Once you’ve decided to embrace EV charging, we’re happy to help you assess your needs and make professional recommendations. Enphase can help you simplify charging station installation, from choosing the best options and connecting with expert local installers to helping you discover and apply for rebates, tax credits, and other financial incentives.
Contact us to connect with our team of EV specialists today.
