LEADING THE CHARGE
The growing popularity of electric vehicles drives resorts to navigate investments in charging infrastructure.
BY HILARY DELROSS
Resort operators have noticed the influx of guests arriving in electric vehicles (EVs) and are listening to driver re- quests for access to on-site charging. Leadership has also recognized an emerging opportunity to offer this amenity to guests, and executive buy-in for slopeside charging in- frastructure is becoming more prevalent. For some of the operators who spoke with SAM , especially those with institutionalized carbon reduction targets, support- ing the transition to electric transportation is a welcome and obvious choice. Others are factoring in many considerations in their decision to accommodate EV drivers. WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT? The number of EVs registered in the U.S. is approaching 4 mil- lion. Annual EV sales surpassed 1 million for the first time in 2023 and did so again in 2024. U.S. sales data show that elec- tric vehicles account for nearly 10 percent of new vehicle sales overall (not including hybrids). In the next decade, EV sales are expected to continue climbing. Technological advancements, declining costs, and more reliable access to charging are pre- dicted to instill confidence for drivers of internal combustion engine vehicles to make the switch to an EV. Improving access to charging infrastructure is critical to propelling the transition to electric transportation and carbon reductions in the transportation sector. Most EV drivers charge at home by plugging in overnight while they sleep. However, it is likely they will need to “top off” at some point on a given trip away from home. There are currently 74,000 public charging stations across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. More than double that amount, 200,000 public EV charging stations, are expected to be avail- able by 2030.
The two DC fast-charging units at Purgatory, Colo., (above and top left) are the result of a collabora- tion between the resort, the regional power utility, and the state energy office.
SHOW ME THE MONEY A massive infusion of public and private investment is being deployed to meet this anticipated need for charging infrastruc- ture. In 2021, the federal government made $5 billion available to build a convenient, consistent national network of public fast-charging infrastructure; some of the first federally funded charging stations are now operational. Most public chargers in operation today were funded through state and private sector investments over the last decade. While federal climate investments may sunset under the Trump administration, local funding will continue to
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