Hilton, in a groundbreaking collaboration with Tesla, has unveiled plans to set up a massive electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across its hotels.
Starting in early 2024, Hilton aims to equip 2,000 of its hotels in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with up to 20,000 Tesla Universal Wall Connectors. This ambitious initiative will position Hilton as the hospitality industry’s largest overnight EV charging network.
Each participating hotel will be equipped with a minimum of six chargers, catering to the rapidly growing community of EV travelers. This move comes on the heels of Tesla’s recent introduction of its Universal Wall Connector, a versatile charging solution compatible with all North American EV models.
“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,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer, Hilton. “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.”
Given Hilton’s strategic placement of hotels along major highways and prime urban locales, the company is well-poised to offer extensive charging solutions for travelers embarking on long journeys.
“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,” said Rebecca Tinucci, senior director of charging infrastructure, Tesla. “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 refueling 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 rising demand for EV chargers among travelers is evident from the surge in related searches on Hilton’s official website. In 2023, the site witnessed a significant uptick in searches for hotels equipped with EV chargers, making it one of the top criteria influencing booking decisions.
