In 2010, there were only two electric vehicle models for the American public to choose from. By 2020 there were 48 models – a 2,300 percent increase in just ten years. However, some experts are predicting that by 2024, there will be 134 models to choose from. With many Americans currently feeling the pinch at the gas pump – plus discovering a newfound love for Mother Nature – electric vehicles are quickly becoming a priority among consumers.
“You’re already beginning to see more and more electric vehicles on the street and in parking lots,” says Andrea Foster, hospitality industry executive & EVPassport Advisory Board member. “And they’re only going to become even more prevalent.”
Car rental agency Hertz is certainly betting big on the consumer desire to drive electric. It announced in 2021 its intention to purchase 100,000 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y crossovers so that by the end of 2022, Teslas will make up more than one-fifth of its U.S. rental fleet. Plus, it also announced an agreement with Polestar a Swedish performance EV startup. Hertz intends to purchase 65,000 Polestar EVs over the next five years to be deployed in North America, Europe and Australia.
Why should this matter to hoteliers? Travelers will inevitably begin renting more and more electric vehicles during their business and vacation travels, meaning hotels will need to offer electric charging stations.
“The hospitality industry is at a very unique intersection where they can really take on the electric vehicle movement and innovate to bridge the gap between business and guest innovation,” notes Hooman Shahidi, co-founder and president of EVPassport. “But beyond that, this is a piece of infrastructure that is well on its way to being as necessary as Wi-Fi. Unlike Wi-Fi, however, EV charging can be a profit center.”