Let’s call him “John Smith.” This is a true story but I will protect the gentleman’s privacy. John drives an electric vehicle (EV) in Las Vegas and also lives in Las Vegas. One evening he decided he would go to a casino for dinner and gambling. He chose that casino because it has an EV charging station. He figured he could charge his vehicle while having a nice evening out. Upon arrival at the casino he was told by a resort associate that the charging station was for guests only. Let’s call this negative experience No. 1. Keep in mind that John intended to spend several hundred dollars at the property that night. A charging station was available so the resort associate did end up allowing John to use it. John discovered that the charger was a Level 1 charger so he was not exactly going to get much of a “fill-up” during his evening out. Negative experience No. 2. When he was ready to leave, John said he was “lectured again not to come back and told that the charge station is only for guests.” Negative experience No. 3.
John posted about his experience on PlugShare, a website EV drivers use to find charging stations. John added, “Next time I will go to [another resort] and spend my money there….” You can bet John told his buddies who drive EVs as well. It was definitely not good PR for the resort.
What you can learn from John’s story is that you had better be prepared, if you are not already, to provide EV drivers with what they want—without making the experience a hassle.
‘EVs Are the Future’
In an article I wrote this past week about EV charging stations, Rishi Shah, V.P. of Business Development, U-GO Stations (Rishi is also asset manager at the Wyndham Philadelphia-Mount Laurel in New Jersey) told me that “EV charging should not be overlooked. It is not a fad. EVs are the future. Your customers will be driving them. More rental car agencies are offering EV vehicles. It is going to be mainstream.”
As of September 8, according to Plug In America, 360,236 plug-in vehicles had been sold in the United States. Since the introduction of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) about five years ago, total sales are on pace to double that of plugless hybrids for their first five years. Today, there are more than 32,000 charging stations listed on the PlugShare website.
According to the most recent AH&LA Lodging Survey, prepared by STR and funded by AHLEF, 11 percent of surveyed properties offer electric vehicle charging stations for their guests who drive electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles. Eleven percent is not a lot and you can bet there have been many, many times when EV drivers have wished they could access a charger at a hotel.
Those of you who already are accommodating EV drivers with charging stations know the differences between Levels 1, 2 and 3 chargers. A 120-volt Level 1 charger can fully charge a battery at two to three miles per hour, depending on the vehicle. A Level 1 charger could be something as simple as an extension cord to a 120-volt outlet. A 240-volt Level 2 charger can charge a vehicle in four to eight hours depending on battery size and depletion. A high-powered Level 3 DC fast-charge station can take a vehicle from fully depleted to fully charged in about 30 minutes to 75 minutes depending on battery size and depletion. Drivers of Tesla Model S vehicles use Tesla Level 3 Superchargers although they can use a Level 2 station with a converter plug.
Tesla Drivers Expect Level 3 Experience
Generally, costs for charging stations range from a few thousand dollars to up to $30,000 for a Level 3 station. Most hotels are providing Level 1 or 2 stations. Level 1 may be ideal for an overnight guest but not so great for someone stopping by for lunch or a meeting. A Level 2 station can provide a good “top off” in a reasonable amount of time. Of course Tesla drivers expect a Level 3 experience and seek out Tesla Superchargers during their travels.
Some vendors are willing to foot the bill for a Level 3 station as long as a profit sharing arrangement is reached. U-GO Stations’ Rishi Shah told me that EV drivers want “an experience as close to a gas engine as possible.” That means as fast a fill-up as possible. Expect charging station expectations to evolve as more folks drive EVs.
There are an increasing number of charging station suppliers out there. Be sure to choose one with experience in the marketplace, and preferably experience in lodging.
When John (or Jane) Smith stops at your property, will you be ready?
Got thoughts to share about EV drivers and charging stations? I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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