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Three Fairmont hotels in British Columbia have announced the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, in partnership with GE Energy Industrial Solutions. The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver led the hotel group in early adoption of these stations, with The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and The Fairmont Empress in Victoria announcing their participation soon after. The hotels will make the charging stations available both to guests and other travellers in the area. Drivers can simply swipe a card, plug in and charge their vehicles at the stations.
Two GE DuraStation EV charging stations will be installed at The Fairmont Waterfront, while The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and The Fairmont Empress will each have one station. The DuraStation’s design is suitable for various locations and offers Level II charging, which is capable of reducing charging time from 12-18 hours to just 4-8 hours, depending on the size of the vehicle’s battery.
Fairmont’s adoption of EV chargers furthers the sustainability initiatives of the province. According to British Columbia’s Minister of Energy, British Columbia has the highest hybrid car adoption rate in Canada – more than two times higher than other provinces. Earlier this year, a pilot project with the City of Vancouver, BC Hydro and EasyPark introduced several EV charging stations to downtown Vancouver, providing the start of infrastructure requirements necessary to make EVs a more viable transportation option in the future.
Fairmont Rewards Guests for Driving Green
The Fairmont Waterfront, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and The Fairmont Empress have also announced a new incentive for guests to “drive green”. Guests who arrive at the hotel in hybrid or electric cars will be rewarded with complimentary valet parking for the duration of their stay (a value of over $40/night). Local diners will also be given complimentary valet parking for their hybrid or electric car when they enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurants (dinner only, minimum purchase of $100).
Ribbon Cutting Photo Opportunity, The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver – September 15, 9:00am
On September 15 at 9:00am, just prior to the GE Electric Vehicle Experience Tour (see below), The Fairmont Waterfront will be unveiling their new GE DuraStation EV charging stations. Media are invited for the ribbon-cutting photo opportunity and can interview representatives from both Fairmont and GE Energy Industrial Solutions. Please RSVP to Emily Armstrong at emily.armstrong@fairmont.com.
GE Electric Vehicle Experience Tour – September 15, 10:00am to 3:00pm
GE Energy Industrial Solutions will be bringing the “GE Electric Vehicle Experience Tour” to The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver on September 15. The event is intended to educate industry leaders and stakeholders about electric vehicles, provide a networking opportunity, and allow guests to test drive an electric vehicle and EV charging station. Interested media will have the opportunity to schedule an electric vehicle test drive from 11:30am to 12:30pm or 1:15pm to 2:30pm. Please contact Katharine Crowe to schedule (contact details below).
Quote from Sharon Owen, energy manager for The Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver: “Sustainable travel is important in order to minimize our industry’s impact on the planet. This is what Fairmont’s Green Partnership Program is all about and why The Fairmont Waterfront makes sustainability one of our core values. We’re proud to add to the city’s electric vehicle infrastructure and our ‘drive green’ incentive is a way we can reward guests and locals who choose green travel options.”
Quote from Chris Bowler, general manager of marketing for GE Energy Industrial Solutions: “Vancouver is the perfect place to highlight the growing need for an EV infrastructure to support the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles. Business leaders here are embracing the need for a viable EV ecosystem and setting the standards for Canada’s recent advancements in implementing clean, green energy practices.”
Fairmont’s Green Partnership Program and Climate Savers
For more than 20 years, Fairmont’s Green Partnership Program has been the company’s award-winning environmental program focused on minimizing the impact of hotel operations on the environment. Fairmont has become the first luxury hotel group to address climate change by pledging to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Working alongside the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s largest conservation organization, and its Climate Savers program, Fairmont has pledged to reduce operational CO2 emissions from its existing portfolio of hotels by 20% below 2006 levels by 2013, while also ensuring that new properties strive to reduce their CO2 emissions through the implementation of the brand’s new Energy and Carbon Management program. Fairmont expects to reduce its emissions through improved energy efficiency, increased conversion to renewable energy supply, and promoting conservation practices among its colleagues.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
