Scottish Government pledges £30m for switch to zero emission transport

Holyrood will provide fresh financial support for green community transport, car clubs, and private loans for those investing in electric vehicles. 

The Scottish Government has announced it will provide £30m in funding over the course of the current financial year in order to accelerate the country’s shift to zero emission transport. 

Specifically, investment in community transport and car clubs will take priority, while support will also be given to people looking to switch to private electric vehicles (EVs). In order to ensure a ‘just transition’, the purchase of used EVs, businesses and people living in rural areas will be prioritised, alongside taxis and those using other light commercial vehicles for work. 

Countryside and island areas are also set to benefit through spending on domestic and company EV charging points, while those in cities that do not have access to private off-street parking are similarly high on the charge point agenda. 

In terms of numbers, the last decade has seen more than £165m handed out in interest free loans to support the purchase of 6,100 vehicles, £4.9m spent on installing 16,000 home charging points and over £10m paid out for 1,500 corporate charging points.

38 car clubs vehicles have been established, with plans already in place for a further 16. In total, once operational the fleet will account for 400,000 zero emission road miles across the country. This incentivisation funding is separate to the £50m invested in 2,200 public charge points and £47m used to introduce 3,450 EVs to the public sector. In January, the Scottish Government also committed to reducing car use in general by 30% by the end of this decade, with Clean Air Zones in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen all becoming active late last month.

‘We know we need to reduce car kilometres by 20% across the board to meet our climate targets. Coupled with continued support for zero emission car clubs, I’m please we’re expanding support for community transport schemes. This will help eliminate the need for individual car ownership and ensure it’s not just the wealthiest in society who can benefit from modern EV,’ said Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth. 

‘Our funding package of over £30m for zero emission grants and loans will be refocussed to support the many people and businesses, particularly in rural areas, who still require access to vehicles,’ she continue. ‘By providing interest free loans for used electric vehicles and for new light commercial vehicles and taxis, we continue to support our ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.’

Image credit: K. Mitch Hodge