Scottish tourism industry urged to plug into the EV market

SCOTLAND’S hospitality and leisure sectors are being told gearing up for electric car drivers could really boost their
businesses.

Hoteliers, B&B owners, restaurateurs, self-catering establishments and visitor attractions across the country are being encouraged to fit new electric vehicle charging points to their premises as not only a way of helping fight climate change but as a positive move for commercial activity.

The call by Electric Vehicle Association Scotland – the voice of EV drivers north of the Border – comes as staycation holidays have become more popular than ever.

The organisation is also urging the Scottish government, local authorities and industry to capitalise on the surge in the popularity of electric vehicles.

And leading Scottish electromobility expert Dave Pickles agrees, highlighting how smaller businesses will be able to take advantage of grants and stressing that many will simply need to install domestic-style chargers rather than far more expensive rapid charge points.

There’s also the promise of further funding to put charge points in place from VisitScotland as part of the Destination Net Zero Programme.

EVA Scotland director Neil Swanson said: “With more and more holidaymakers coming to and remaining in Scotland every year, and with increasing numbers driving electric vehicles, this is an ideal opportunity for our highly respected hospitality and catering businesses to further increase their services to a rapidly growing sector of EV motorists and their families.

“In the not too distant future, having EV charge points at hotels and the like will be a huge draw for visitors. Restaurants, cafes and leisure facilities providing charging points would be an ideal way for guests to top up their vehicles, stay longer and enjoy the services provided.”

Electric vehicle ownership in the UK is forecast to rise from its present 100,000-plus to more than two million by next year. In Scotland alone, there was a 53.8 per cent rise in EV ownership last year.

Part of the worldwide Global Vehicle Alliance (GEVA) organisation, EVA Scotland believes that, with grants and loans available through national and local government to help with installation costs, now is the ideal time for the nation’s hospitality industry to “take the initiative and provide more charging points at their premises for visiting holidaymakers and guests”.

Mr Swanson added: “With EV car ownership in the UK expected to rise rapidly, it’s clear that the popularity of electric vehicles is growing exponentially.

“Many forward-thinking business owners must agree that having electric vehicle charge points available for guests is a significant attraction.

“Without doubt, there has been a gradual rise in the installation of charge points, showing increased awareness of the benefits to those providing a really positive contribution to Scotland’s tourism and leisure industries and overall economy.

“There are already some very positive examples of businesses throughout Scotland making EV charge points available but there has to be a greater determination to go the extra mile and expand this much further. Seizing this opportunity surely makes good business sense.

“Having a charging infrastructure with attractive pricing will provide not only an additional income stream for those in the hospitality sector but also offer the potential to encourage customers to stay longer.”

Mr Pickles, the boss of the Glasgow-based Jorro sustainable energy company, said tens of thousands of small hospitality businesses would soon be able to benefit from a UK Government grant of £350 for each charge point they installed.

He said these would include everything from self-catering properties and bed and breakfast establishments through to independent chains of small hotels.

He explained: “Lots of hospitality venues are really like large houses, where simple domestic-style EV chargers will be both cost-effective and do the job.

“They won’t need to install far more expensive rapid chargers because guests will be able to plug in their electric cars while they stay overnight.”

Janie Neumann, VisitScotland’s Sustainable Tourism Manager, said: “Climate change is the biggest long-term challenge facing Scottish tourism now and in the future.

“We want to inspire future generations to say that Scotland’s tourism and events industry led the way and made a difference.

“Over the coming months, we will be launching a dedicated EV charge point fund that will support tourism and hospitality businesses and expand Scotland’s electric vehicle charge point network.

“This fund will enable businesses to position sustainability at the heart of their recovery and ensure their offering will make it easier for visitors to make environmentally conscious travel decisions.”