Marriott's Electrifying Collaboration: EV Connect Charges Up Thousands of Hotels, Rivals Hilton's Tesla Alliance
20 Sep 2023
Marriott International has partnered with EV Connect, a leading charging services provider, to install and manage chargers across its extensive network of hotels in the US and Canada. This move comes in response to Hilton Hotels' recent alliance with Tesla.
With 31 different brands and over 8,500 properties worldwide, Marriott International is a prominent player in the hospitality industry. Recognizing the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) and the need to provide convenient charging infrastructure, Marriott aims to cater to guests arriving in electrified vehicles.
EV Connect, a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, has been offering comprehensive EV charger services since 2010. It already serves customers in 41 states, including major names like GM, Verizon, Hilton, and now Marriott International.
Under the agreement, EV Connect will become Marriott's preferred charger provider for the US and Canada. The company offers a range of EV charging solutions, collaborating with well-known brands such as FreeWire, Juicebar, and Tritium.
Approximately 6,000 qualifying Marriott locations will have access to turnkey charging solutions through EV Connect's platform. Each property can choose the hardware that suits their needs, with EV Connect providing consultation, installation, maintenance, and software support. Andrew Bodziak, Marriott International's senior vice president of global operations, expressed the significance of this collaboration:
"Our guests increasingly expect EV charging stations at our properties, and this collaboration will help us meet rapidly evolving consumer demand and further the company's sustainability goals. With EV Connect, we can offer properties an end-to-end turnkey service, simplifying the planning, installation, and maintenance processes while simultaneously delivering high-quality service our guests expect."
While this marks Marriott's first EV charging agreement, it is not the first in the hospitality industry. In September, Hilton Hotels announced a partnership with Tesla to deploy over 20,000 Universal Wall Connectors across their locations, building on their existing relationship.
With chargers soon to be available across the Marriott network, EV drivers can embark on road trips with greater peace of mind, knowing that charging options are readily accessible. Ram Ambatipudi, EV Connect's senior vice president of business development, highlighted the significance of this collaboration for the hospitality sector as a whole:
"As the world shifts toward sustainable energy and clean transportation, hotels and resorts that provide charging facilities for EVs can attract guests who prioritize sustainability and carbon-neutral travel. This collaboration between EV Connect and Marriott marks a major advancement of the EV market's expansion and has significant implications for the hospitality sector as a whole."
With 31 different brands and over 8,500 properties worldwide, Marriott International is a prominent player in the hospitality industry. Recognizing the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) and the need to provide convenient charging infrastructure, Marriott aims to cater to guests arriving in electrified vehicles.
EV Connect, a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, has been offering comprehensive EV charger services since 2010. It already serves customers in 41 states, including major names like GM, Verizon, Hilton, and now Marriott International.
Under the agreement, EV Connect will become Marriott's preferred charger provider for the US and Canada. The company offers a range of EV charging solutions, collaborating with well-known brands such as FreeWire, Juicebar, and Tritium.
Approximately 6,000 qualifying Marriott locations will have access to turnkey charging solutions through EV Connect's platform. Each property can choose the hardware that suits their needs, with EV Connect providing consultation, installation, maintenance, and software support. Andrew Bodziak, Marriott International's senior vice president of global operations, expressed the significance of this collaboration:
"Our guests increasingly expect EV charging stations at our properties, and this collaboration will help us meet rapidly evolving consumer demand and further the company's sustainability goals. With EV Connect, we can offer properties an end-to-end turnkey service, simplifying the planning, installation, and maintenance processes while simultaneously delivering high-quality service our guests expect."
While this marks Marriott's first EV charging agreement, it is not the first in the hospitality industry. In September, Hilton Hotels announced a partnership with Tesla to deploy over 20,000 Universal Wall Connectors across their locations, building on their existing relationship.
With chargers soon to be available across the Marriott network, EV drivers can embark on road trips with greater peace of mind, knowing that charging options are readily accessible. Ram Ambatipudi, EV Connect's senior vice president of business development, highlighted the significance of this collaboration for the hospitality sector as a whole:
"As the world shifts toward sustainable energy and clean transportation, hotels and resorts that provide charging facilities for EVs can attract guests who prioritize sustainability and carbon-neutral travel. This collaboration between EV Connect and Marriott marks a major advancement of the EV market's expansion and has significant implications for the hospitality sector as a whole."