14 September 2020, 10:00
Expanding access to ultra-low emission vehicles
Low Carbon Transport Loan to cover used vehicles for first time
From 28 September, the Scottish Government Low Carbon Transport Loan will be extended to cover used electric vehicles for the first time.
As outlined in the Programme for Government, the loan is now being expanded to help people who may otherwise be put off by the high purchase price of electric vehicles.
Delivered through Energy Saving Trust, it will enable people and businesses to benefit from cheaper running costs compared with petrol and diesel vehicles whilst supporting our world leading net-zero target and air quality objectives.
To date, over £85 million has been provided to help people make the switch to ultra-low emission and electric vehicles. The extension will now enable an individual or business to obtain a loan of up to £20,000, interest free, over five years.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:
“Expanding our Low Carbon Transport Loan will make it easier for more people to access the benefits of modern ultra-low emission vehicles. The global shift towards electric vehicles means that prices are coming down year on year, but the price point for new vehicles remains high for many. We want to make it easier for people to switch by providing interest free finance options for used vehicles.
“We’ve set a bold ambition to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. Globally, it’s clear that the shift to electric vehicles is becoming an inevitability – but no one who requires a vehicle should be left behind from the benefits these modern vehicles can bring, both in terms of running costs and the environmental benefits. This is where we can help.
“For Scotland’s Climate Week, consider the benefits of an electric vehicle – but remember, you don’t always need to own a vehicle to enjoy those benefits. Across the country, we’ve funded registered social landlords to procure the services of electric vehicle car clubs, so that they can provide affordable access whilst reducing the need for car ownership. For those who prefer two wheels – support is also available through Energy Saving Trust for e-bikes including e-cargo bikes.”
Ellie Grebenik, Senior Programme Manager at Energy Saving Trust said:
“The extension to the Low Carbon Transport Loan is welcome news and will enable businesses and consumers alike to secure greater access to sustainable travel options. We also hope that this extension will further stimulate the electric vehicle market in Scotland, and encourage more drivers to make the switch to greener travel with the uptake of more electric vehicles.”
The Energy Saving Trust website contains the latest information on available grants and loans available in Scotland.
Contact Information
Matthew Millar
Transport Scotland
07890319062
matthew.millar@transport.gov.scot
Notes to editors
BACKGROUND
The 2017 Programme for Government outlined the vision to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. Our focus is on incentivisation and infrastructure delivery, thereby creating the conditions which make ultra-low emission vehicles the natural choice for buyers by the end of 2032.
We have invested over £30 million since 2011 to establish the comprehensive ChargePlace Scotland charging network which now has over 1250 publicly available chargepoints across Scotland.
Scotland is leading the way in this area. Figures from June show that Scottish electric vehicle drivers benefit from almost 40 public charge points per one hundred thousand people, compared to fewer than 30 in England and fewer than 20 in Wales and Northern Ireland.
We have provided financial support to install over 3500 domestic chargepoints at people’s homes and almost 400 at workplaces to support business switching to ultra-low emission vehicles.
Approximately 70% of charge points on the ChargePlace Scotland Network are outwith Scotland’s cities as we recognise the need for all parts of Scotland to benefit from world-class charging infrastructure.
A full map of publicly available chargers can be accessed from the ChargePlace Scotland website.
A range of loans and grants to incentivise the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles are funded by the Scottish Government and delivered through our partners at Energy Saving Trust.
These initiatives complement and are in addition to the plug-in vehicle grant offered by the UK Government.
In addition, our Switched On Fleets initiative is aimed at decreasing the number of fossil-fuelled vehicles within Scotland’s public sector fleets and has already seen the introduction of over 1000 electric vehicles across the public sector.
Separate to grants and loans for electric vehicles, over £869,000 has also been provided to support electric vehicle car club schemes. The Plugged-In Households initiative provides affordable access to electric vehicles across the country and offers a viable alternative to car ownership for tenants, staff and nearby residents of supported social housing providers.
Our support for e-mobility extends to e-bikes as we work to build an Active Nation. We have established interest-free loans of up to £6000 to enable individuals to purchase e-bikes and e-cargo bikes. For community groups, public and third sector organisations, the eBike Grant Fund provides support.
Energy Saving Trust
Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as we transition to net zero.
We empower householders to make better choices, deliver transformative programmes for governments and support businesses with strategy, research and assurance – enabling everyone to play their part in building a sustainable future.
For more information: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland
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