Both guests and travelers in the area can simply swipe a keyfob, plug in and charge up their electric vehicles at the station. A first in the hotel industry, travelers will be able to locate the charging station and even determine whether it is currently unoccupied by using Google maps. The ChargePoint Networked Charging Station is new in a series of green initiatives implemented at Element Hotels, Starwood’s working laboratory for green design, practices and operations. The hotels also provide preferred parking for drivers of hybrid or electric cars and bikes to borrow for guests. With four Element hotels open to-date, Element is the only major hotel brand to mandate that its properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
By offering a charging station for electric vehicles, we are deepening our commitment to greener travel as a key part of an environmentally responsible lifestyle, said Brian McGuinness, senior vice president, Specialty-Select Brands, Starwood. We are proud to be playing a part in the development of the infrastructure needed to support the anticipated increase in electric vehicles over the next several years.
Starwood’s Element brand shares our commitment to driving environmental awareness and helping individuals, businesses and municipalities lower their carbon footprint, said Scott Emalfarb, one of the principals at Carbon Day Automotive. By installing the ChargePoint Networked Charging Station at Element Lexington, we are preparing for the influx of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles expected on America’s roads in 2010. We hope that other hotels will follow Starwood’s lead and take the initiative to encourage this important change in the automobile industry.
The push to develop more hybrid-electric cars recently received a big boost from US President Barack Obama, who has made reducing oil consumption a top priority. In May 2009, President Obama announced tough new fuel-efficiency standards for new cars and trucks and several key auto makers that are currently developing new models of electric cars for 2009-2010 to join those already available.
Element and Carbon Day will share the cost for the ChargePoint Networked Charging Station, a sleek, unobtrusive device equipped with a universal plug-in for all kinds of electric vehicles including cars, buses, Segway scooters and bikes. The ChargePoint Networked Charging Station utilizes the ChargePoint Network, which includes a choice of flexible subscription plans and sophisticated search technology via Google maps.
Carbon Day is the Midwest distributor for Coulomb Technologies’ chargepoint networked charging stations.
Coulomb Technologies is a US-based designer and builder of charging stations for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
Starwood is a US-based hotel and leisure company.
