The Electric Circuit Launches Initiative to Increase the Number of Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

The Croatian National Association for E-Mobility, Electric Circuit, has launched an initiative to increase the number of charging stations in the tourism sector, which all hospitality and accommodation facilities across Croatia, as well as individuals with publicly accessible parking spaces in attractive locations, can apply for.

As stated in their press release, the electrification of transport has become a daily reality, with over 2.9 million electric vehicles currently operating across Europe. During the summer months, Croatia is visited by more than 50,000 electric vehicle owners, for whom a greater and higher quality infrastructure of charging stations is needed.

It is therefore recommended that tourist destinations have at least one or even multiple charging stations for electric vehicles, which will also enhance the attractiveness of the location for tourists. Leading rental applications for tourist accommodations have already introduced a filter that shows whether the accommodation has a charging station for electric vehicles, so tourists with electric vehicles often choose such properties.

– Numerous Croatian hospitality providers have recognized the importance of having charging stations, with over 1,500 accommodation facilities across Croatia already enabling electric vehicle charging for their guests. However, the development of charging station infrastructure should certainly keep pace with the electrification of the vehicle fleet in Europe, as we are witnessing an increasing number of tourists with electric vehicles every year – explains Hrvoje Prpić, president of the Electric Circuit association.

The Electric Circuit association launched the initiative to increase the number of charging stations at the end of March, which all hospitality and accommodation facilities across Croatia, as well as individuals with their own parking spaces in attractive locations, can apply for. The charging stations can be publicly accessible or private, depending on the needs and agreements of the interested parties.

The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with partners of the Electric Circuit who are engaged in the distribution and installation of chargers, and those who apply will be enabled to set up charging stations without significant costs for a predefined period if it is an attractive location. The only condition is to have an attractive location for the charging station, as well as the client’s ability to provide a power connection of 11 to 22 kW at the parking spaces.

In this initiative, AC charging stations will be installed at parking spaces next to hospitality and accommodation facilities, such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, or apartments. Clients and charging station owners can agree on the sharing of financial profits together with investors, while the maintenance of the charging stations is completely free.

However, in the case that partners assess the location as less attractive, or with a lower frequency of charging, which would prolong their return on investment, clients will still be offered the most favorable model for the installation of the charging station for the specified location, along with the option of installment payments.

– The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness among hospitality providers about the accelerated process of electrification of transport and that the time is already approaching when a charging station for electric vehicles will be as important in accommodation as air conditioning or Wi-Fi is today. Everyone who applies for this initiative will have the opportunity to set up a charging station at a more favorable rate, and on the other hand, Croatia will be significantly better prepared for the upcoming tourist season – explains Prpić.

Applications are filled out via a form on the official website of the Electric Circuit association or sent via the association’s email address.