Hotels With EV Charging: Plan Your Electric Car Road Trip

Written by Nick Versaw

Updated January 21st, 2022

One of the most important things new EV drivers look forward to after purchasing their first electric vehicle is the vast number of miles they can travel without filling up. The wide miles of range offered by electric vehicles and hybrids means a more affordable and more efficient means of traveling long distances. 

With air travel becoming increasingly cumbersome and expensive, many folks have decided a road trip is a much more engaging way to travel, particularly when they have a zero-emission, all-electric car at their disposal. 

The main challenge EV owners face on every long road trip getaway? The need for safe and reliable charging stations when they’re long distances from home. This “range anxiety” is something that road trippers experience no matter how many miles of range their EV offers. 

Whether you’re traveling to Las Vegas or midtown Manhattan, hotels are increasingly offering EV charging stations as an amenity alongside standard perks like valet parking, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary breakfast. 

In this article, we’ll survey the current state of hotels with EV charging across the United States, so you can rest easy on the road knowing your vehicle is charging up after you check in. 

Hotels With Electric Car Charging Stations in the U.S.

In terms of finding a place to stay where you can juice up overnight, specialty charging apps can help you get details about EV chargers at hotels in specific regions. 

Many travel search websites and apps such as Expedia, PlugShare, and Hotels.com now allow you to search for hotels with EV charging utilizing specific search filters, with others expected to follow suit.

As of this writing, the total number of hotels with EV charging offerings in the United States is not exactly known. Of the five major hoteliers in the United States — Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Wyndham — only two of these companies make their total number of hotels with EV charging known. 

Of the 5,432 Hilton hotels currently operating globally, 1,097 currently offer EV charge points. Of the 7,642 Marriott hotels, 3,137 currently offer EV charging stations to guests worldwide. 

While the precise number of hotels with EV charging stations in the United States isn’t precisely known, the number of public EV chargers in each state is. 

The following chart lists the top states with the most public EV charging locations as of September 2021:

If you’re planning a road trip, hitting these states will give you the easiest access to public charging stations. 

However, if you’re looking to rely on public charging stations as your main fuel source throughout your road trip, you might want to steer clear of these states with the least number of charging stations: 

In November of 2021, one of the largest automobile rental companies in the United States, Hertz, announced its intent to purchase 100,000 EVs from Tesla. This influx of EVs into the vacation rental vehicle market, along with the increased number of Americans driving each year, will only further motivate hotels to increase the availability of EV chargers at their guest properties. 

EV Charging Stations at Hotels: What to Expect to Pay

​​The cost of EV charging at a hotel varies from establishment to establishment. The majority of hotels let guests charge their EV as a guest amenity that requires no additional cost. Smaller hotels and motels, particularly those in remote or in rural locations, may charge fixed rates similar to what public charging stations cost. 

EV charging stations aren’t seen as a profit center by hotels. Instead, they’re viewed as a way to attract new and returning guests. As the use of EVs continues to grow, hotels anticipate that EV charging stations will be considered a standard amenity along with things like pools, on-site restaurants, and fitness centers.

Alternatives to Hotels With EV Charging

If finding a hotel with EV charging or a public charging station is difficult when you’re on the road, the Tesla Supercharger network may soon become a viable alternative.

The Tesla Supercharger network is a unified system of over 30,000 EV chargers worldwide, 2,500 of which are in North America. As of December 2021, it is the largest EV charging network in the world. 

As of this writing, it is accessible only by Tesla drivers. But in November 2021, Tesla began a pilot program in Europe that allowed their Superchargers to be utilized by drivers of other EV brands. Industry insiders predict that Tesla will soon open up its charging network in the United States to non-Tesla drivers as a new revenue stream. 

How EV Charging Stations Benefit Hotels

The hospitality industry has long been at the forefront of influencing lifestyle changes. Items like flat-screen televisions, motion-activated plumbing, and high-end bedding materials made their debut within hotels, and hospitality industry experts hope to be at the forefront of EV charging infrastructure as well.

Hotel conglomerates and small-scale hotels have a variety of incentives to build EV charge points on site for guest use. Easing the range anxiety of guests by offering EV charging stations can help to establish long-term brand loyalty. 

EV charging stations also have the potential to create a new revenue stream for hotel companies, notably by charging non-guests for their use and through the sale of advertising in and around charging units. 

In addition, many states have implemented efforts to offer tax incentives and rebates to commercial property owners who install EV charging station options for public use. In New Jersey, for example, the utility company PSE&G offers commercial properties a $7,500 rebate per installation of every Level 2 charger, up to $30,000 as of this writing. 

The hospitality industry also hopes that the widespread implementation of EV chargers can help illustrate a commitment of the industry to remain a steward of the environment. 

All Your EV Charging Questions Answered

In the not-too-distant future, EV chargers will likely become a staple at hotels along with swimming pools, continental breakfasts, and late-night calls to room service. In the meantime, Compare.com will be here to assist you with all your electric vehicle charging questions as the EV revolution continues to evolve.

Whether you’re interested in learning more about installing an EV charger in your home, curious about the costs related to EV charging, or wondering what kind of lifespan you can expect from your EV battery, our comprehensive library of EV knowledge will be here for every mile of your EV journey.

Nick Versaw Managing Editor

Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in creating educational content about insurance and other related topics. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.