Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it is (a) promoting the (i) purchase and (ii) use of electric vehicles and (b) working with (i) car dealerships and (ii) manufacturers to make electric vehicles more affordable, in light of reports that the cost and lack of access to charging points is prohibitive for many.
Scotland is currently the only part of the UK offering financial support to consumers, small businesses and the third sector to purchase electric vehicles. Since 2011 we have provided over £230 million in interest free loans to support the purchase over 8,700 zero and ultra-low emission vehicles saving an estimated 230,000 tCO2e.
In 2025-26 we aim to provide a further £20 million in interest free loans to support the purchase of electric cars and vans. There was an announcement about the reopening of this fund on 27 May.
In addition, since 2011 Scottish Ministers have also provided over £19 million for the installation of over 23,000 lower powered charge points at homes and at workplaces, complementing the £65 million invested in Scotland’s public charging network.
The Energy Savings Trust, an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency, provides free and impartial advice on electric vehicles to both businesses and consumers and my officials regularly meet with stakeholders from Scotland’s automotive trade.