Choice Hotels has announced a collaboration with Tesla this week to deploy Universal Wall Connectors, enhancing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across select hospitality brands within the company’s portfolio. Revealed through a press release on Tuesday, the initiative will see the installation of four or more Tesla Universal Wall Connectors at various Choice Hotel locations in the U.S., including Radisson, Cambria, Comfort, Country Inn & Suites, Quality Inn, among others.
As part of the partnership, Cambria hotels aim to introduce at least one Universal Wall Connector at all their properties by the end of this year. Currently, around 41 percent of Cambria hotels offer EV charging facilities, with guest feedback highlighting EV charging as a top sustainability priority when booking accommodations.
Dominic Dragisich, Executive VP of Operations and Chief Global Brand Officer for Choice Hotels International, emphasized the strategic significance of the collaboration with Tesla, stating, “This agreement with Tesla allows our brands to further stand out by increasing access to EV charging for guests and potentially drive incremental topline revenue for hotel owners.”
Choice Hotels’ website and mobile app have also been updated to feature an EV charging filter, facilitating seamless booking at properties equipped with charging solutions.
This partnership follows similar initiatives within the hospitality sector, with Hilton and Marriott recently announcing collaborations with Tesla to expand EV charging infrastructure across their respective hotel chains. In September, Hilton unveiled plans to install up to 20,000 Universal Wall Connectors at 2,000 locations in North America, while Marriott partnered with Tesla and EV Connect to streamline the deployment of Universal Wall Connectors.
Tesla’s Universal Wall Connectors, introduced last year, offer a charging rate of up to 44 miles of range per hour, with an output of 11.5 kW and a 48-amp capacity. Priced at $595 on Tesla’s online shop, the Universal Wall Connector features a 24-foot charging cable, auto-sensing handle, mobile app control, and compatibility with non-Tesla EVs through an integrated J1772 adapter.
