WILDER, KY—For many lodging properties, gasoline-powered passenger vans have been the standard choice for bringing guests to and from transportation hubs or local points of interest. However, these shuttle vehicles lead to costly gas prices and maintenance costs, as well as give off carbon emissions, according to Zenith Motors, a privately funded company based here.
By providing its Zenith Electric Passenger Van to the lodging industry, Zenith Motors strives to reduce the overall cost of shuttle and cargo van ownership by eliminating the cost of gasoline, reducing the maintenance cost and maximizing the up-time between scheduled maintenance, all the while reducing carbon emissions, according to the company. Founded in 2011, Zenith Motors also services the airline and healthcare industries.
“Our vehicles combine reduced costs and zero carbon emissions,” said Christine Smith, VP of sales & marketing for Zenith Motors. “The technology for motors and storage batteries continues to get more efficient. Finite fossil fuel prices will continue to fluctuate based on production and political variables that no business can control.”
She added, “Sustainable electricity generated from the wind, oceans and sun are unlimited, renewable resources. It’s the way to go. Electric vehicle cost effectiveness in shuttle and cargo applications makes it a viable option today. They provide a more stable operational cost structure along with the added benefit of zero carbon emissions that customers overwhelmingly appreciate.”
When fully charged, the Zenith Electric Passenger Van has an 80-mile range. An optional 100-mile version is also available. Charging time for the vehicle is 6.5 hours. The company also offers an optional four-hour charger. Electronically limited, the van can run at 55 miles per hour.
According to the company’s website, the cost of gasoline for a gasoline-powered van over 300,000 miles (at $4.00/gallon and eight miles per gallon) would be $150,000. The energy cost for Zenith’s electric-powered van over the same distance could be as low as $24,000 or as high as $60,000, depending on the electricity rate.
Zenith Motors guarantees its vehicles require almost no maintenance, leading to a reduction in life-cycle cost, and can also bypass smog checks. Only the window washer fluid would have to be changed.
The Zenith Electric Passenger Van provides hoteliers with added cost savings benefits. Most hotel shuttle services experience lengthy idle times between scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs for guests. Gasoline-fueled vans burn energy while waiting, but substantially less energy would be taken from Zenith’s electric-powered vans, noted Smith. “The Zenith Electric Passenger Van is the perfect application for hotels,” she said.
“One of the major benefits is that our vehicles can be charged on site at any time throughout the day,” Smith added. “Drivers won’t have to drive to a gas station and wait in line. And, sometimes fueling stations aren’t always around the corner. It’s more convenient to charge in a parking lot.”
Hoteliers also have the option to participate in government tax incentives. Zenith participates in voucher programs available in California, 30 counties in the state of New York and six counties in Chicago. Voucher amounts range from $25,000 to $50,000. Zenith Motors vehicles also give hotels the added benefit of on-site, clean air quality when idle.
“All of the hotels that we talk to have green initiatives in place,” said Smith. “Our vehicles enhance their initiatives by reducing greenhouse gasses, even when these vans sit idle outside the front door. Traditional gas-powered vehicles would emit fumes that would make their way into the lobby. Guests are inhaling the fumes from inside and outside the main entrance. But, our electric vehicles don’t even have a tailpipe. There’s no discomfort to patrons.”
The van, which seats up to 12 passengers, comes with multiple seating configurations and a number of interior features. The van offers 96 in. of interior height to allow guests to move comfortably around the vehicle. The interior includes a luggage rack and low-VOC-emitting flooring. Standard features include an electric sliding door for easy entrance and exit of the vehicle. “The first touch for hotel guests is one of convenience,” said Smith. “It’s easy to get in and out of the vehicle.”
Since introducing the van to the hospitality industry in 2013, Zenith Motors has received favorable feedback from hoteliers and their consumers. “They love the idea that hotels are doing something for the environment, and extending their green initiatives from beyond the interior of the hotel,” said Smith. “A lot of owners have experienced the electric vans and are amazed how quiet and smooth the ride is. They always say it’s like being on a monorail. A lot of them don’t realize they’re moving until they are halfway to the airport.”
Located approximately 6.4 miles from Long Island’s MacArthur Airport in Islip, NY, Islandia Marriot began using a Zenith Electric Passenger Van in late 2014 to provide shuttle service for guests to and from the airport as well as the surrounding area.
“We chose to invest in a green technology that would benefit the hotel in its cost efficiency as well as minimizing our carbon footprint,” said Megan Weathersbee, general manager, Islandia Marriott. “We originally had one van, but we were so happy about its performance and cost savings that we had a second one added to the property.”
Weathersbee shared her staff’s satisfaction with the performance of the vans. “It took a little time for our team to adjust to driving an all-electric vehicle but, once they did, we have been able use the vans in all weather patterns and traffic conditions,” she said. “Guests love that they are driving in an all-electric vehicle and helping to do their part in reducing emissions.”
Within the past year, the hotel has seen a significant cost savings in gasoline used, as well as in repairs and maintenance. “By investing in an all-electric van, we have seen a good impact on our bottom line,” added Weathersbee. HB