HotelsMag March-April 2022 | Page 21

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO OFFER EV CHARGING AT YOUR PROPERTY ? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS FOR IT GOING FORWARD ?

We installed our first Blink charger in 2013 . At that time , we did it as a test , to see if our guests responded to this amenity . Although it started slow , with only a handful of EVs , it has definitely become more popular and we are seeing increased interest in the EV chargers – we even just had Blink update the chargers to their new equipment . EV charging at our property just makes sense . There are those drivers who will need to charge their vehicle overnight and because we ’ re one of the few hotels in the area that offer overnight EV charging , we are a top choice . – Sandy Bagri , CFO , CHA , CHO , Best Western Escondido
WHAT MAKES HOTELS IDEAL LOCATIONS FOR INSTALLING EV CHARGERS AND WHAT CHARGERS SHOULD HOTELIERS CONSIDER ?

Hotels , motels , and resorts are perfect for reliable , consistent , fast Level 2 charging . For a consumer , this means having access to on-theroad , destination EV chargers that can charge their batteries overnight , so they ’ ll be ready to hit the road in the morning . For hoteliers , Level 2 charging , such as the Blink IQ 200 , provides a cost-appropriate solution that serves a guest ’ s needs without the high cost of purchasing and installing DC fast charging . For example , to install a Level 2 charger , we estimate a starting price of $ 5,000 , which can be offset by grants , rebates , incentives , and even Blink ’ s turnkey business model . In comparison , a DC fast charger installation and hardware begins at over $ 50,000 , making it costprohibitive for properties . – Brandon Jacobs , Regional Vice President , Blink Charging
QUICK CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING AN AMENITY THAT CONSUMERS REQUIRE WHEN SEARCHING FOR A HOTEL .
HOW DID YOU DECIDE WHAT EV CHARGING EQUIPMENT AND EV CHARGING COMPANY TO GO WITH ?

When we decided to bring EV chargers to our property , we researched several providers but ultimately went with Blink . When we first started talking about EV charging , Blink helped us understand the different chargers , connectors , and charging speeds . This helped us build confidence in our decision . We ultimately installed a dual-port IQ 200 unit on a 100- amp circuit giving our guests the fastest Level 2 charging experience , perfect for overnight stays . In addition , Blink offered us a turnkey solution in which we didn ’ t have to upfront any money . The other EV charging companies definitely couldn ’ t match that ! We now have an EV charging amenity for our guests and didn ’ t even need to pay for it . – Harry Vaidya , Manager , Baymont by Wyndham Columbus / Rickenbacker
For more information about EV charging , please contact hotels @ blinkcharging . com
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WHAT BENEFITS DOES OFFERING EV CHARGING BRING TO YOUR HOTEL ?

EV charging is an added amenity for our guests and we are always looking for ways to provide our guests with the best possible amenities and experience at our property . They also serve as a constant reminder to both EV drivers and non-EV drivers that we are constantly looking to serve our guests better . EV chargers also help to reinforce our commitment to sustainability and visibly showcase our efforts to make the world a little cleaner and greener . – Andy Bhakta , Developer , ABR Hospitality