More people will be given the opportunity to use ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) thanks to a £700,000 investment fund from the SNP Government.
Plugged-in Households will allow housing associations to apply for funding to procure the services of car clubs, comprised of electric vehicles, so that tenants and local residents can hire the cars when required.
The fund will be administered by Energy Saving Trust and will help improve access to ULEVs and allow more households to consider the scheme as an alternative option to owning an electric vehicle. It builds on the SNP Government’s existing offering of interest free loans to give more drivers the opportunity to experience electric and plug-in hybrids.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Connectivity and Infrastructure Michael Matheson MSP said:
“The SNP Government has an ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032 and to do this we need to widen access to electric vehicles to communities across the nation.
“Plugged-in Households is an innovative way of doing this. It will give both housing association tenants and local residents the opportunity to access electric vehicles as they are required, instead of drivers having to buy vehicles out-right. It will also help address concerns around access to off-street charging infrastructure and the affordability of ULEVs.
“Our support to encourage electric vehicle use is wide-ranging, from incentives for public sector organisations, businesses and motorists as well as continuing investment to improve the charging infrastructure across the country. Plugged-in Households will also allow more motorists to make their contribution to improving our air quality.”
Head of Transport at Energy Saving Trust Matthew Eastwood commented:
“Plugged-in Households enables access to electric vehicles irrespective of income or location. Not-for-profit housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland can apply for grant funding to procure the services of a zero emission car club for use by their tenants, their own use and that of the wider local community.
“Application forms and further information including eligibility criteria are available on the Energy Saving Trust website, the deadline for applications is 19 December.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“I welcome this new initiative and will be encouraging our innovative North Ayrshire housing associations to look into this and to apply for this funding.
“I also urge anyone in North Ayrshire who is considering purchasing an electric car or van, to visit the Energy Savings Trust website and check if they are eligible for the interest-free Electric Vehicle Loan, which they administer for Transport Scotland.
“This could lead to an interest free loan of up to £35,000 to cover the cost of purchasing a new pure electric / plug-in hybrid vehicle or up to £10,000 to cover the cost of purchasing a new electric motorcycle or scooter.
“For more information, visit:
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