EV Chargers for Hotels in Singapore: The Promise vs. Reality
- angiewluo
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The buzz around EV chargers is real. We're told they boost property value, attract eco-conscious travelers, and even generate extra revenue. While these benefits exist, the reality depends heavily on your property’s specifics.
From managing serviced apartments in Singapore for nearly a decade, we’ve observed this: guests do notice EV chargers. It signals that a property is forward-thinking and environmentally conscious. But here’s the catch: most international visitors arriving Singapore by flight. Often, the main users of hotel EV chargers are local diners, event attendees, or nearby residents—not overnight guests.
Understanding Your Options
Hotels considering EV chargers typically choose from three models:
Profit-Sharing Partnerships: The provider installs the equipment at no cost and shares profit with you. Great for testing demand with minimal financial risk.
Owner-Funded Installation: You buy and manage the equipment, keeping all revenue—but also all costs and responsibilities.
Lease Arrangements: You pay a fixed fee but keep the revenue.
The right choice depends on your financial situation, risk tolerance, and long-term property strategy.
The Singapore Hotel Challenge
Boutique hotels, especially in the CBD, face unique constraints:
Limited Parking: boutique CBD hotels often have limited parking. Allocating 1–2 for EVs reduces parking for guests who really need it.
Parking Charges: hotels with larger parking capacity may charge for parking, affecting demand by non-guest EV drivers.
If revenue is low, the chargers can become an underutilized feature, requiring maintenance while struggling to recover capex.
Beyond the Numbers
Direct revenue isn’t the whole story. EV chargers also:
Signal sustainability and attract corporate clients with ESG mandates.
Enhance your brand and guest experience when part of a broader strategy.
EV chargers can make a hotel more appealing to eco-conscious guests, but it’s the overall guest experience—from thoughtful design and attentive service to well-chosen amenities—that truly creates value and keeps guests coming back.
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