Electric vehicle charging supplier EV Connect, a subsidiary of Schneider Electric, has signed an agreement with Marriott International to simplify EV charging for its properties and guests. With EV Connect, Marriott properties will have a turnkey solution to add and manage EV charging stations through the EV Connect platform. This is the first agreement of this type for Marriott and aims to ensure that participating locations can provide reliable charging infrastructure at locations within the U.S. and Canada.
“As the world shifts towards sustainable energy and clean transportation, hotels and resorts that provide charging facilities for EVs can attract guests who prioritize sustainability and carbon-neutral travel,” Ram Ambatipudi, senior vice president of business development at EV Connect, said in a statement. “This collaboration between EV Connect and Marriott marks a major advancement of the EV market's expansion, and it has significant implications for the hospitality sector as a whole.”
The EV Connect charging platform simplifies charging station set-up, management and optimization from installation to driver support. Marriott-affiliated hoteliers will have the ability to choose the charging hardware deployed on the open platform, allowing them to scale EV charging needs for the needs of individual locations. With EV Connect Shield, a comprehensive parts and labor warranty plan, critical operational and maintenance tasks are performed by qualified personnel, including charging station repair, software support and fieldwork labor from resolving minor technical issues to parts sourcing and replacement service.
“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,” said Andrew Bodziak, senior vice president of global operations at Marriott International. “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.”
Charging stations at Marriott properties will be visible on the EV Connect app, allowing guests to locate and pay for EV charging. EV Connect expects 14 million electric vehicles will be on the road by the end of 2023.