With the progress of the technology and the growing concern for the environment, an increasing number of road users are converting to electric cars. According to the International Energy Agency, in 2023, almost 3.2 million new electric vehicles were registered in Europe alone, an increase of nearly 20% compared with the previous year.
This revolution has also had an impact on the hotel industry. Whether for tourism or for company travel, an increasing number of customers require hotels with electric charging columns. Even though electric cars are becoming more affordable, the distribution of charging infrastructure remains the biggest deterrent to abandoning combustion engine vehicles. This is confirmed by the EY Mobility Consumer Index 2023, an annual survey launched in 2020. While more than half (55%) of those planning to purchase a car globally were interested in an electric vehicle, 31% of the consumers interviewed were worried by the perceived lack of charging stations. Hotels, agriturisms, B&Bs and campsites that wish to stay competitive can respond to this trend, offering ever more eco-friendly services and facilities. Let’s see how to meet the needs of road users who choose to drive zero-emission vehicles.

Let’s remind ourselves. At the top of the priority list for electric vehicle users is the availability of charging points. According to a study by EVBox, one of the main electric vehicle charging infrastructure companies, drivers would like greater opportunities to charge their car batteries in three places: supermarkets (37%), hotels (30%) and restaurants (30%). It’s worth noting that two of the top three sites are hospitality facilities. Apart from this data, what are the advantages for hoteliers to consider? Firstly, it is important to highlight that the availability of charging columns not only anticipates the needs of guests but also offers them an essential service in order to travel without the infamous range anxiety. One of the main reasons why a hotel should consider installing a charging station is to increase their visibility, from traditional word-of-mouth to online booking platforms like Booking.com or Expedia and to review portals (raise your hand all those who use Google Maps for navigation…) and specialised guides.

Furthermore, hotels offering this service can expand their customer base through their inclusion on apps for finding charging stations. These are all excellent strategies for positioning yourself on the market and improving the overall reputation of your business. If you still have doubts, think back to how the Wi-Fi symbol spread over the years and became accepted. Or else browse through the websites of international hotel chains like the Best Western or Hilton. ‘EV charging’ is now a standard filter there. After all, perhaps it is a question of business acumen, as the website for the American company ChargePoint reminds us: ‘The income of EV drivers is twice the national average. They will visit your business if you give them a place to charge’.

Apart from the installation of wall boxes or charging stations, accommodation facilities can, in a complementary manner, stand out by offering a series of services designed for travellers with electric cars. This could include special deals that offer car charge discounts, detailed information on local charging points and even electric car hire services for guests who wish to explore the area without having to use their own car. Finally, in addition to the hotel’s guests, it could be useful to make the charging stations in hotels accessible to an external public to help stimulate collaboration with local businesses. Visitors to restaurants or other businesses in the vicinity could benefit from the hotel’s infrastructure, fuelling partnerships between local businesses and increasing the appeal of the hotel, which would then benefit from a wider clientèle.

If this article has piqued your curiosity and these suggestions aren’t enough, here’s a last tip for learning first-hand about solutions and innovations for sustainable mobility dedicated to the hospitality sector. There are Tourism trade fairs like the TTG Travel Experience in Rimini (Italy) and Electronomous in Copenhagen (Denmark) that offer hoteliers the chance to discover new strategies to meet the demands of eco-aware travellers. TTG, scheduled to take place in Rimini from 9 to 11 October 2024, is the main Italian showcase dedicated to promoting global tourism. Electronomous is held at the same time, from 9 to 10 October 2024, and is the international fair dedicated to electric mobility. An unmissable appointment to discover the latest vehicle charging technologies, in addition to electric car hire and bike sharing. Essential elements of the smart city of the future.