Planning a vacation for electric vehicle owners looks completely different than for drivers of internal combustion engine cars. When choosing a place for an overnight stay or a longer getaway, a tourist traveling in an EV is no longer just looking for a swimming pool or good breakfasts. A crucial filter on booking platforms has become the presence of a charging point right on the property.
For the HoReCa industry (hotels, guesthouses, restaurants), the vacation season is the perfect moment to leverage this trend. Why is a hotel charging station now a standard that directly drives bookings?
1. The "EV Charger" filter drives bookings
Booking platforms like Booking.com, as well as built-in car navigations (e.g., Tesla, Google Maps), allow users to filter available accommodations based on charging station availability. A venue without this amenity is automatically filtered out by a growing segment of affluent customers.
EV travelers prefer to top up their battery overnight while the car is parked anyway, rather than wasting 45 minutes during the day at commercial fast chargers along the highway.
2. Longer stays and higher restaurant bills
A charging station acts as a magnet not only for hotel guests, but also for travelers passing through. A driver who stops for 1–2 hours to charge their car on a trip will gladly use the hotel restaurant, order lunch, or enjoy a coffee in the garden.
Investing in a charging station translates directly into a higher average bill in the food & beverage section of your venue.
3. Free or paid: how to offer electricity to guests?
Most venues are moving away from the "free power for everyone" model. Two approaches work best:
- Charging included in the stay (for guests): Upon check-in, the guest receives a dedicated RFID card at the reception that activates the station for the duration of their stay.
- Commercial / Billed charging: A station integrated with power management and an app allows you to charge external visitors for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumed.
4. Socket or integrated cable for a hotel parking lot?
For outdoor hotel parking lots, stations with a Type 2 socket are by far the best choice. Since different drivers use the unit with their own cables, there are no loose wires hanging around. This minimizes the risk of mechanical damage, makes maintenance easier, and looks much cleaner and more aesthetic on a stylish driveway.
Ensure your guests' comfort this vacation
EV charging infrastructure is no longer a niche addition - it has become a real criterion for choosing a vacation spot. Adapting your hotel parking lot to the needs of EV drivers is a simple way to boost occupancy rates and build an image of a modern, high-class venue.
Looking to equip your hotel or holiday resort with a charging station? Contact us - we’ll help you select the right RFID-authorized units that will seamlessly integrate into your parking space.
