Current status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 November 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what actions it is taking to facilitate access to EV charging using home energy tariffs for residents with no off-street parking.
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the transition to EVs by ensuring that charging infrastructure is comprehensive, convenient, and accessible to all. I understand the importance of enabling those without access to off street parking to charge their vehicles conveniently, safely and cost-effectively.
Under Section 109 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, local authorities have the power to issue permits for the installation of private apparatus, such as EV home charging points, therefore decisions about permitting cross-pavement charging are the responsibility of Scotland’s local authorities.
The Scottish Government is working closely with the Scottish Collaboration of Transport Specialists (SCOTS) – an organisation that helps councils across Scotland work together to improve roads, transport, and travel services - to develop national guidance to support local authorities, to enable cross-pavement charging by addressing the legal, safety, and practical issues associated with the provision of cross-pavement charging. This guidance is currently being finalised by SCOTS and is due to be published at the end of November.
In August I announced the launch of a new Cross-Pavement Charging Grant, offering up to £3,500 to support the purchase and installation of cross-pavement charging solutions for residents without off-street parking. This scheme is administered by the Energy Saving Trust and is supporting the installation of cross-pavement charging in partnership with a number of local authorities with a view to wider rollout following publication of cross-pavement charging guidance currently being finalised by SCOTS.