£500,000 grant aims to give more people access to electric cars
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A NEW round of funding is hoped to give more people access to electric cars as well as challenging long-held ideas about car ownership.
The plugged-in households grant fund has opened for a second round, with a further £500,000 now available to allow more social housing providers, third sector and community organisations the chance to make use of electric vehicle car clubs.
The grants can be used by social housing providers and third sector organisations to allow tenants, local residents and staff access to electric vehicles on demand through car-share clubs.
Transport Scotland, which operates the fund, says the scheme offers viable alternatives to car ownership and affordable access to modern ultra-low emission vehicles.
Earlier this year, eight social housing providers throughout Scotland were awarded grants, including Osprey Housing in Elgin, Orkney Housing Association and Grampian Housing Association, Aberdeen. In this round, the fund is also accepting applications from third sector organisations. It is hoped that the second round will enable more communities to take advantage of the funding on offer.
The scheme is delivered and administered through the Energy Saving Trust and organisations have until August 23 to apply.
Transport secretary Michael Matheson said: “There has been a fantastic response from social housing providers to the plugged-in households grant fund, so I’m delighted that we can respond by providing another half a million pounds to expand affordable access to electric vehicles.
“This is an inclusive, innovative and progressive initiative, which gives people affordable access to the latest electric vehicles and offers a real alternative to costly car ownership.
“Ultra-low emission vehicles bring profound advantages in responding to the climate emergency and improving air quality – however, the solution cannot simply be more cars with zero emissions. We need to change behaviours and challenge beliefs that car ownership remains a necessity.
"We are also providing funding to social housing providers for improved walking and cycling facilities so that people can make easier active travel choices. Providing funding for ultra-low emission car clubs, so people can access electric cars on demand, is yet another way we can bring about the revolution in sustainable transport that we hope to see across the country.”
Ellie Grebenik, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: “This funding will open up greater access to electric vehicles (EVs) across numerous Scottish housing association and third sector locations.
"The funding enables tenants, staff and the wider community to enjoy sustainable transport through local EV car clubs. The adoption of EVs is growing apace, supported by Energy Saving Trust’s interest-free loans and robust public charging infrastructure. The switch to ultra-low emission vehicles is essential to reduce emissions and improve air quality in line with Transport Scotland’s strategy.”
More information is available on the Energy Saving Trust website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/plugged-households
