Hotel & Hospitality

Fully Funded EV Charging Installed at The Speyside Hotel

Located in the heart of Scotland’s famous Speyside whisky region, The Speyside Hotel is a family-friendly country hotel offering the perfect base for visitors exploring the surrounding landscape.

The Background

Located in the heart of Scotland’s famous Speyside whisky region, The Speyside Hotel is a family-friendly country hotel offering the perfect base for visitors exploring the surrounding landscape. Nestled between Inverness and Aberdeen, the hotel attracts guests seeking outdoor pursuits, whisky tours, and a relaxing countryside escape.

As EV adoption continues to grow, the hotel partnered with Connekt to introduce on-site EV charging, enhancing its offering for both guests and the local community.

The Challenge

As a rural destination, The Speyside Hotel recognised that EV charging would quickly become an essential amenity.

Key considerations included:

Supporting guests travelling long distances by electric vehicle
Enhancing the hotel’s appeal to modern travellers
Working within existing power capacity constraints
Identifying a cost-effective solution

With limited nearby charging infrastructure, providing reliable on-site charging was critical — not just for convenience, but for attracting new bookings.

“I found the whole process very straightforward. The team carried out the installation in terrible weather but left everything clean, tidy and completed a very professional job. The service from Connekt has been excellent — communication has been spot on, and any issues have been resolved quickly. We’re already seeing guests booking rooms purely because we have EV chargers, and demand has been so high that we’re considering installing more. We’re also seeing strong use from local drivers, which has been a great additional benefit.”

Mark Huntley, Owner - The Speyside Hotel

Fully Funded EV Charging Installed at The Speyside Hotel

The Solution

Connekt delivered a tailored EV charging solution aligned with the hotel’s infrastructure and guest needs.

The installation included:

2 × 11kW AC chargers
Designed to work within the hotel’s existing power capacity
Reliable charging for overnight stays and extended visits

Crucially, the project was delivered through a rural grant funding scheme, with Connekt managing the entire process — from application through to approval and installation.

This ensured the hotel could benefit from a fully funded solution without upfront cost or complexity.

The installation was completed efficiently, even in challenging weather conditions, with the site left clean, tidy, and fully operational.

Installation & Support

Connekt provided a fully managed, end-to-end service:

Professional installation delivered in difficult weather conditions
Clear and consistent communication throughout
Responsive support team available when needed
Rapid issue resolution, ensuring minimal downtime

This ensured a smooth experience both during and after installation.

The Impact

The introduction of EV charging has delivered immediate and measurable benefits:

Guests booking specifically because of EV charging availability
High charger utilisation, with queues forming during peak times
Increased footfall from both guests and local users
Additional revenue opportunities for the site
Strong demand already driving plans for future expansion

EV charging has become a key differentiator for the hotel, influencing booking decisions and enhancing the overall guest experience.

The Outcome

Through its partnership with Connekt, The Speyside Hotel has successfully introduced EV charging that aligns with its rural setting and growing customer demand.

By tailoring the solution to the site’s infrastructure and securing full funding through a rural grant scheme, Connekt enabled the hotel to implement EV charging quickly, efficiently, and without financial barriers.

The result is a future-ready hospitality offering, one that not only supports sustainable travel but actively drives new business.