Element Hotels takes green on the road with Electric Car charging stations

Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ eco-chic Element brand has announced plans to install electric car charging stations at Element Lexington – the first Starwood Element property to open last July 2008. The station will allow guests and travelers to locate an unoccupied charging station using Google Maps, then simply swipe a keycard, plug in and charge up their electric vehicles at the station.

The ChargePoint™ Charging Station will mark the most recent in a series of green initiatives implemented at Element Hotels, as well as a first-ever EV charging effort in the hotel industry. The hotels also provide preferred parking for drivers of hybrid or electric cars and “bikes to borrow” for guests.

Another green star for Element

With four Element hotels open to-date, Element is the only major hotel brand to mandate that its properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The brand’s green features are often cleverly designed to be as aesthetically appealing as they are eco-friendly, so guests never compromise on style and comfort.

All Element hotels utilize eco-friendly materials whenever and wherever possible, as well as natural light throughout the hotels. To reduce waste, guest room bathrooms are equipped with amenity dispensers, kitchens are supplied with silverware and glassware instead of plastic utensils and paper cups, and filtered drinking water is available rather than plastic water bottles.

Element conserves water and energy with low-flow faucets and fixtures, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and energy-efficient appliances. Even the ubiquitous “Do Not Disturb” sign has been replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet.

“By offering a charging station for electric vehicles, we are deepening our commitment to greener travel as a key part of an environmentally responsible lifestyle,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty-Select Brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “We are proud to be playing a part in the development of the infrastructure needed to support the anticipated increase in electric vehicles over the next several years.”

“Starwood’s Element brand shares our commitment to driving environmental awareness and helping individuals, businesses and municipalities lower their carbon footprint,” said Scott Emalfarb, one of the principals at Carbon Day Automotive. “By installing the ChargePoint charging station at Element Lexington, we are preparing for the influx of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles expected on America’s roads in 2010. We hope that other hotels will follow Starwood’s lead and take the initiative to encourage this important change in the automobile industry.”

The push to develop more hybrid-electric cars recently received a big boost from President Barack Obama, who has made reducing oil consumption a top priority.

In May, President Obama announced tough new fuel-efficiency standards for new cars and trucks and several major auto makers are currently developing new models of electric cars for 2009-2010 to join those already available.

For more information, visit both www.starwoodhotels.com and www.carbonday.com.