Scotland Launches £20m Electric Vehicle Incentive Scheme
The Scottish Government has announced the allocation of £20million to support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across Scotland. This funding is part of a long-standing initiative that began in 2011, aimed at helping lower-income households and businesses transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric alternatives.
Key Features of the Funding
- Interest-free loans of up to £20,000 available over five years
- Support for individuals and businesses to purchase electric cars and vans
- Additional funding for strengthening public charging infrastructure
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, stated, “I’m pleased to announce the allocation of £20million to support our electric vehicle support schemes. During the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, this will help people access the benefits of modern electric vehicles at a greater range of price points.”
The scheme includes various loan options such as the Used EV Loan, Switched on Taxi Loan, and Used Electric Low Carbon Vehicle Loan for Vans. Since its inception, the Scottish Government has provided £230million in interest-free loans, helping over 8,700 drivers switch to electric vehicles.
Boost to Charging Infrastructure
Scotland has made significant strides in developing its EV charging network. The country has:
- More public EV charge points per capita than anywhere else in the UK, outside of London
- More rapid public EV charge points than any other part of the UK
- Plans to add approximately 24,000 additional public EV charge points by 2030
According to Zapmap data, the UK has seen a significant increase in public charge points, growing from 28,460 at the end of 2021 to over 73,000 by the end of 2024. Scotland specifically had 1,885 rapid or ultra-rapid electric car chargers as of April 2025, making it the second-highest in the UK.
Heather Quin, Senior Programme Manager at Energy Saving Trust, commented, “These loans are a practical and inclusive way to help more people switch to electric vehicles, lowering Scotland’s carbon emissions and improving local air quality.”
The initiative is part of Scotland’s broader strategy to achieve a net-zero transport system by 2030. With continued investment in EV infrastructure and incentives for greener transportation, Scotland aims to lead the way in sustainable motoring.
