New award for switched-on Scottish hotels
SCOTTISH hotel bosses who show they are plugged in to having guests with electric cars stand to win a major award next year.
The honour is part of an initiative by Electric Vehicle Association Scotland to encourage the wider hospitality industry – including B&Bs, self-catering operators, restaurants and holiday hotspots – to become more EV-friendly.
The organisation, which is the voice of electric vehicle owners and drivers north of the Border, is being joined by online media platform Hotel News Scotland in its search for the most forward-looking businesses.
EVA Scotland operations manager Laura Robinson, pictured, said: “Recently, we issued a call for Scotland’s hospitality industry to go that extra mile and see the installation of EV charge points as an opportunity to boost business through the provision of this essential facility for guests and visitors.
“Scotland has always been a ‘go to’ destination for car drivers and their families and even more so now that pandemic restrictions have eased.
“With one in three cars on UK roads expected to be electric by 2025, hospitality venues are gearing up and installing more EV charge point facilities for guests and visitors… this must continue at pace.”
Hotel News Scotland editor Renata Fernandes will advise and assist EVA Scotland in a range of initiatives that will culminate in a major awards presentation event in September 2023.
It will focus on recognising and honouring those in Scotland’s hospitality sectors who have made significant contributions towards the transition to all-electric transportation.
Fernandes said: “Our objective has always been to provide not only holiday information for electric vehicle drivers but to inform and inspire hospitality professionals across the country to invest in the essential facilities expected in today’s changing holiday environment.
“There has never been such an important time in the development of the industry in looking forward and offering one of the most important elements that will be expected by visitors and guest in the years ahead… and that is the ability to charge their electric vehicles at the hotels and venues they visit.”
Meanwhile, research by comparethe market.com shows the annual running cost of an electric vehicle is now £579 cheaper on average than a petrol-fuelled car.
That significantly widens the gap in motoring bills from 2021, when EVs cost just over £400 less to run.
The study, which analysed the price of insurance, fuel, and road taxes, showed a petrol-fuelled car will now set you back £1843, whereas an EV comes in at £1264 for 12 months.