I rented a pure electronic vehicle (PEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV) for a road trip to Palm Springs in January. That was the first time I took a trip with an EV, and I discovered that a PEV was only good for short or daily commutes. I will need a hybrid EV or a gas-powered car for longer road trips.
My not-as-pleasant EV experience in Palm Springs
Before this road trip, I assumed that EV chargers would be “everywhere” in California because California is the pioneer in banning the sales of new gas-powered vehicles. As a result, I did not “bother” to check how many EV chargers the area or my hotel has, even though I knew Palm Springs has many independently owned boutique hotels that do not need to follow any brand standards --- Today, having EV chargers onsite is still not yet an industry standard, although they are more commonly seen in chain hotels or restaurants.
I regretted renting an EV as soon as I arrived at the hotel because it had no EV charging stations. I downloaded a new app that allowed me to charge the EV downtown while eating at a restaurant, but all I found nearby were Level-1 charging stations. It usually takes about 20 hours to charge an EV for a range of about 200 km (or 125 miles). After dinner, I found another place with EV chargers. Still, they were Level-1 chargers only. I downloaded another app and killed my time for another hour that night just to make sure I could go to the next Level-2 or Level-3 charging stations the next day for a faster charging experience. Again, I downloaded one additional app the next day and waited one hour to get the EV charged to 80%.
Here is the bottom line: EV charging stations are not easy to find and are run by different companies. People must download multiple apps for different charging stations. It also takes much longer to charge an EV than to fill up a gas-powered car with gasoline, even using Level-2 or Level-3 charging poles.
Why should hotels install EV chargers?
As of Q1 of 2024, California has sold 1.872 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) since 2010; 34% of new ZEV sales were in California. Accordingly, hotels in the states with a high EV density should install EV chargers, such as those in California, Texas, and Florida. States like California also mandate large residential and commercial properties to install a minimum number/percentage of EV chargers in their parking lots. For retail or commercial properties in general (including hotels and restaurants), having EV charging stations onsite can be beneficial, including:
- Meeting the growing customer demands as more people are driving EVs now.
- Giving customers using EVs a better overall experience.
- Promoting a positive brand image regarding CSR (corporate social responsibility).
- Receiving rebates or tax incentives. For example, businesses in California can receive a rebate of $3,500 per connector or 75% of the project costs.
- Businesses adopting a pay-to-charge model for EVs can earn extra income per usage (e.g., 15 – 30% of the charging fee).
Is it necessary to mandate all hotels to install EV chargers?
EV chargers have quietly become a necessity for hotels in the markets with high EV density. I can also see how this could be added to some legislators’ agenda for good intentions. Still, will it be as sufficient and effective to let the market and data drive individual business decisions? Sometimes, it is unclear if government involvement in business does more good or harms the market. What do you think?
Note: The picture was downloaded from HospitalityNet.org.
It’s interesting to hear about your experience with a pure electric vehicle on a longer road trip. Many travellers are finding that the availability of EV chargers is becoming a key factor in choosing their accommodation. For hotels, investing in EV charger installation could attract guests who prefer to drive electric cars, offering them convenience and peace of mind during their stay.
ReplyDeleteThe El-Monde ev charging map is really helpful for finding charging stations, as any electric vehicle owner will attest. Simple to use and up-to-the-minute, the map shows charging stations in the area along with their availability, speeds, and other useful information. With El-Monde, all of your electric vehicle trips will be easy and worry-free. You should definitely give it a look!
ReplyDeleteYes, because hotels can become competitive by improving guest satisfaction. Installing an EV charger, especially in California, is essential because everyone nowadays is driving a Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, or Mercedes-Benz EQS, just to name a few. People have the mentality of saving gas, so instead, they buy or rent EV cars. Providing a charging station would attract guests who would want to come and stay at the hotel because it is more convenient for them. Furthermore, it would gain competitiveness for the hotel to add charging stations and vice versa for those hotels that don't incorporate any charging stations.
ReplyDeleteKaren Nagib November 25, 2024
I think requiring all hotels to install EV chargers might sound like a good move, especially in areas with a high number of electric vehicles. It could make travel more convenient for EV owners, but I think there are some things to consider. For example, smaller hotels or places with fewer electric cars have the cost of installing and maintaining chargers, which might be a financial strain. Plus, it may not be necessary in all areas if demand for chargers isn't high. In my opinion, I think it's more effective to let businesses decide based on customer needs and market trends. I also think a mix of government incentives and market-driven decisions could be the best approach.
ReplyDeleteAaron Roh November 30, 2024
Thank you, Dr. Kwok, on your experience with EV charging. I didn't realize how unavailable EV charging is in hotels. It's a good idea to check ahead on the route you plan on taking as it can save so much time and the hassle of worrying about finding charging stations. It's important to also have more accessibility with hotels especially in wealthier areas. It's important to have this tool but also important for guests to plan ahead. Since a lot of people do have EV, I'm not sure why they are not more accessible and available for people with all different vehicles. As gas stations are everywhere it's important to also cater to other guests.
ReplyDelete