Hilton to lead the way with massive electric vehicle charging network for business travellers
In a groundbreaking move tailored to cater to the evolving needs of business travellers, Hilton has announced a far-reaching collaboration with Tesla.
Beginning in early 2024, Hilton will embark on the installation of up to 20,000 Tesla Universal Wall Connectors at 2,000 of its hotels.
This ambitious undertaking will establish Hilton as the leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure within the hospitality industry, serving the growing demand for overnight EV charging solutions during hotel stays.
Each of these selected hotels will be equipped with a minimum of six charging stations, cementing Hilton as the preferred choice for the ever-expanding community of electric vehicle owners.
This significant announcement coincides with the recent introduction of Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector, a versatile charging solution compatible with all North American vehicle models.
The hotel giant claims that Tesla’s commitment to universal charging aligns with Hilton’s mission to provide outstanding hospitality experiences that seamlessly blend with the routines of their guests.
Hilton’s Chief Brand Officer, Matt Schuyler, expressed the company’s dedication to meeting the evolving expectations of guests:
At Hilton, we are committed to meeting the changing needs of our guests who are looking for hotel experiences that complement their daily routines while offering exceptional hospitality. Through this expanded agreement with Tesla, we are significantly changing the landscape of universal EV chargers in North America in an incredibly short amount of time. Across Hilton’s family of award-winning brands, this network of EV chargers will offer our guests even more value with the convenience of much-needed overnight charging access in more locations.
Hilton’s extensive network of hotels, strategically situated along major routes and in key urban centres throughout the United States, uniquely positions the company to provide scalable charging access for travellers on long-distance journeys.
Rebecca Tinucci, Senior Director of Charging Infrastructure at Tesla, emphasised the importance of convenient and cost-effective AC charging solutions for electric vehicle owners:
A key priority for Tesla Charging is installing low-cost, convenient AC charging anywhere electric vehicles are parked for more than an hour or two. To ensure electric vehicle adoption at scale, our joint industry goal must be to vastly improve upon the traditional gasoline vehicle ownership experience, not just meet it. Installing infrastructure at popular destinations, like Hilton hotels, enables EV owners to charge where they park, meaning no unnecessary refuelling stops along their journey. We applaud Hilton for their leadership in the space and look forward to continuing to ramp this critical program with other industry leaders.
The surge in demand for EV charging options among travellers is evident through the increasing number of searches at Hilton’s website for hotels with charging capabilities. In 2023, the website’s EV charging search attribute experienced the fastest volume growth to date, jumping from fourth to the second highest in converting searches to bookings.
Hilton’s commitment to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of travel aligns with its Travel with Purpose platform. This initiative offers eco-conscious travellers more convenient options to contribute positively to both people and the planet.
