The Electric Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund is part of the Destination Net Zero programme, designed to improve the network of charge points across Scotland and encourage responsible tourism practices.
The £325k fund will support around 100 charge points by providing up to 75 per cent of the cost of installation.
It will be administered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of VisitScotland, and the Scottish Government and is open to all tourism businesses classed as SMEs.
And VisitScotland will be encouraging businesses within areas where EV charge points are limited to apply.
Tourism Minister Ivan McKee said: “This funding will play a significant role in helping businesses install the charging points, which will in turn make driving an electric car further appealing, as well as aiding the decarbonisation of the transport system across Scotland.”
Neil Leckie, from the Energy Saving Trust, added: “We’re pleased to be delivering this new funding which will support businesses in the transition to electric vehicles and give a boost to sustainable travel overall, helping Scotland’s drive towards achieving its net zero targets.”
Drumlanrig Castle near Thornhill received funding from the Energy Saving Trust to put in its first EV charge points in January 2019.
In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of vehicles using the chargers, especially among guests staying at estate’s self-catering holiday accommodation.
Operations manager Claire Oram said: “As a company, we are now introducing electric vehicles across the various parts of the business as a commitment to sustainability. The benefits in having on-site EV charge points to our business are two-fold: they bring benefits to our customers and to the environment.
“As well as our guests, we have noticed that locals are also taking advantage of the EV charge points when they come to visit the gardens or explore the wider estate.”
The Electric Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund will provide a one-off payment to tourism businesses towards the installation of an electric vehicle charge point. There is limited funding available, and it will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Applications are now open and will close on September 8.
For more information visit: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants-and-loans/destination-net-zero-electric-vehicle-charge-point-tourism-recovery-fund
