Published on
Charging Stations for Hotels: How Many to Install, What Power Rating to Choose, and Where to Place Them
Equipping the parking lot of your hospitality facility with charging stations generally requires a rational assessment of capacity and power requirements. The Hospitality Division of Powy evaluates and can design customized solutions for hotels, boutique resorts, and conference centers. An undersized infrastructure risks failing to meet guests’ expectations, while stations that are too powerful relative to the length of stay could lead to economic and operational inefficiencies.
1. Sizing Matrix by Type of Hotel Facility
The recommended number of parking spaces usually depends on the size of the hotel, the typical guest profile, and whether any services are open to outside visitors. Here is a rough estimate:
| Category and Type of Facility | Predominant Parking Profile | Recommended Charging Stations (Phase 1) | Type and Recommended Power | Minimum Future Requirements |
| Boutique Hotel / B&B (10–25 rooms) | Leisure, overnight stay | 2 outlets (1 double outlet) | AC 11 kW or 22 kW | 2 more stalls |
| 4- or 5-Star Business Hotels (30–80 rooms) | Corporate, conferences (mixed parking) | 4–6 outlets (2–3 double outlets) | AC 22 kW with DLM | 4 more stalls |
| Resorts / Hotels with a Spa and Restaurant (>100 rooms) | Mixed (Overnight + Day-Use Guests) | 6–10 " AC " outlets + 1 " DC " Fast outlet | AC 22 kW + 50–60 kW DC s | Another 6–8 stalls |
2. How to Choose the Right Power Level Based on the Guest’s “Touchpoint”
Ideally, technology should align with customers' natural rest periods:
- Overnight stay in a room (8–12-hour overnight stop): AC charging (AC) at 7.4 kW or 11 kW is generally the best solution. This allows you to recharge the batteries while you sleep, with the goal of minimizing power draw from the grid.
- Restaurant, meeting, or spa guests (staying 2–3 hours): It is often recommended to install 22-kW AC stations or, if technically feasible, 30-kW compact DC units (DC), which are designed to efficiently supply power throughout the event.
- Quick Transit / Coffee Break (20–40 minutes): For facilities located near highway interchanges or high-traffic areas, installing a 50–100 kW “ DC Fast” station can enable faster charging during check-in or a refreshment break.
3. Where to Place the Charging Stations: Siting Criteria
The allocation of parking spaces in the hotel parking lot is generally based on criteria related to operational efficiency and logistics:
- Proximity to the main electrical panel: Placing the charging stations close to the substation or the low-voltage main panel (QGBT) can help reduce the amount of excavation required, minimize voltage drops, and keep installation costs down.
- Signage and Parking Enforcement: The area should feature green resin pavement markings, the international EV pictogram, and clear vertical signage. In unattended areas, electromechanical gates or app-controlled smart barriers can help deter unauthorized parking by internal-combustion vehicles.
- Accessible parking spaces: Ideally, at least one of the electrified parking spaces should have increased lateral space (approximately no less than 3.5 meters wide) to facilitate easy access for people with limited mobility.
4. Collaboration Models Powy for the Hospitality Industry
Powy It takes a flexible approach, evaluating customized solutions tailored to the specific characteristics of the hotel: factors such as geographic location, estimated vehicle traffic, the layout and accessibility of the parking lot, the capacity of the electrical grid, and the hotel’s business objectives are the criteria on which each design proposal is based.
The partnership options include various investment models, which can be tailored to the hotel’s financial and operational capabilities. Where conditions permit, Powy may consider agreements at no cost to the hotel, assuming full responsibility for the infrastructure, installation, and ongoing operational management of the system. In addition to this model, we offer co-investment options with shared costs or direct purchase solutions that include engineering support, technology provision, and scheduled maintenance—ideal for hoteliers who prefer to maintain full control over pricing policies and access to parking spaces.
Independent groups and properties are choosing to integrate charging solutions to enhance the quality of their guest experience and strengthen their competitive position on international booking platforms, where the availability of EV services is becoming an increasingly influential factor in guests’ decisions.
Would you like to equip your hotel or hotel chain with charging stations?
Powy We offer turnkey solutions for the hospitality industry, with a variety of contract options designed to meet the needs of every property. Discover our solutions for hotels and lodging facilities, or read our success story with Meliá Hotels International.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to reserve a charging station before arriving at the facility?
The ability to reserve a charging station before arrival depends on the services offered by the facility and the capabilities of the systems in place. Depending on the solution chosen, access to and use of the infrastructure can be managed in various ways, including through digital platforms or dedicated identification systems.
How do you manage connected vehicles that remain plugged in for many hours after charging is complete?
During daytime hours, the systems may impose idle fees to encourage drivers to vacate parking spaces. During nighttime hours (generally from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.), depending on the technical settings selected, the systems may disable these fees to allow customers to rest without requiring them to move their vehicles.
How long will it take to complete the work on site?
The timeline for completion depends on the characteristics of the site, the complexity of the work required, and any necessary permits. Once the preliminary assessments are complete and the operating conditions have been defined, it is possible to estimate the duration of the installation work, with the goal of minimizing disruption to the accommodation facility’s normal operations.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article regarding power ratings, sizing, operational timelines, and contractual terms is for illustrative and general guidance purposes only: Each project is evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on specific preliminary site inspections, system constraints, the availability of power from the local grid, and specific contractual agreements between the parties.
About Powy
Powy a company that owns, develops, and manages Italy's leading independent network of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Founded in Turin in 2018, Powy is at the forefront of the transition toward more sustainable mobility, offering an innovative charging infrastructure that uses 100% renewable energy—whose origin is certified by Guarantees of Origin (GO)—on its proprietary network, Powy.
Powy 's network includes quick, fast, and ultra-fast charging solutions strategically placed in public and private parking lots, supermarkets, shopping malls, and transportation hubs to ensure maximum convenience and accessibility for EV drivers. Each station is equipped with advanced technologies to provide a reliable and efficient charging experience.
Press Office: press@powy.energy