Home Energy Management Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte Installs Vehicle Charging Station

Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte Installs Vehicle Charging Station

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CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte became the first urban hotel in the Southeast to offer a permanently-installed Level II charging station for use by guests driving electric vehicles. The new multi-power station is located in the front drive of the LEED Gold-certified property, is complimentary to hotel guests, and supports the hotel’s commitment to environmentally-friendly practices and operations.

The launch of the new Ritz-Carlton plug-in charging station was highlighted by the on-site presence of a Li-Ion Motors Inizio all-electric supercar, designed and built in nearby Mooresville, N.C. Li-Ion Motors is also the creator of the all-electric Wave II, which was on hand for the event as well, and which won the 2010 Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize for its original 100 percent electric design.

While EV charging stations are an increasingly frequent sight across the country, such a prominent presence at a AAA Five-Diamond hotel is noteworthy for the hospitality industry, especially within the luxury sector. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this meaningful and relevant service to our guests,” said David Rothwell, general manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. “We are also fortunate and very grateful to be part of a city and state which lead the way in the field of clean energy, and we look forward to providing more such environmentally-focused guest conveniences in the future.”

The electric vehicle charging station at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is a state-of-the-art bollard-mount CT2101 manufactured by Coulomb Technologies and commissioned by Greenville, S.C.-based system integrator Thurso Power Systems. The station features two charging ports for simultaneous use. Its 120-volt “Level I” port would typically charge a car from zero to full power in 10 to 12 hours, depending upon the vehicle’s battery pack. The station can also dispense a 240-volt “Level II” charge using the industry standard SAE J1772 connector, and this would take approximately six hours to go from empty to full charge, depending on car battery pack. Few electric vehicles are expected to visit the hotel on “empty” and would more likely need to be “topped off,” requiring only 30 to 45 minutes for a Level II charge. Most new production cars offering all-electric technology feature the J1722 female inlet that accepts a Level II, 240-volt charge.

The EV charging station at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte complements the hotel’s award-winning environmental program, which is highlighted by a green vegetated roof that is home to 18,000 sedum plants, a chef’s garden and two beehives housing 100,000 bees producing all-natural honey for hotel culinary purposes. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte operates its own in-house water purification bottling system, while select employee uniforms are made of fabric derived from recycled plastic containers and recycled aluminum conference tables are utilized in meeting and event spaces. The hotel also provides complimentary parking for hybrid and electric vehicles, complimentary bicycle use for hotel guests, natural and organic culinary and spa menus, and a roster of community cleanup and recycling events staffed by hotel employees. In addition, the property’s Mother Nature mascot brings eco-minded games and toys to children staying in-house, delivering these items to young guests in a recycled green wagon which also carries take-home gifts of seedlings and small plantables.

Go to The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte.

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