EV charging points to come to Premier Inn hotels

Whitbread – owner of the Premier Inn hotels – has appointed ENGIE to install high power GeniePoint charging points nationwide, with 600 committed across 300 hotels over the next three years.

ENGIE will begin installing the chargers in March, with the first scheduled in Enfield, London.

Access to the charging points will be for guests, as well as members of the public using the GeniePoint Network – one of the largest national EV networks. The company will install high specification 50kW+ chargers that replenish electric cars in just 30 minutes with 100 per cent renewable energy.

Sam Hockman, divisional CEO – futures at ENGIE UK & Ireland said: “A big factor for drivers considering the switch to EV is access to a broader range of charging options.  This significant investment at Premier Inn sites will provide hundreds of new, convenient charging locations across the UK and also give customers access to ENGIE’s wider GeniePoint network.

“This important move by Whitbread highlights the key role the hospitality sector can play to support not only the uptake of EVs, but also the UK’s wider commitment to become net zero by 2050.”

Simon Leigh, procurement director at Premier Inn said: “Electric vehicles are one of the ways in which the UK strives for a greener future and we’re pleased to help drive this goal forward with what we believe is the UK’s biggest roll-out of rapid charging points to date.

“We know that ‘range anxiety’ is a real concern for many of our guests who own electric cars. Knowing that in many locations they will soon be able to arrive and have access to a high-speed charge point to quickly refuel their car while they relax and refuel themselves will be a great source of comfort.