The Scottish government has called upon community transport operators to apply for funding to invest in zero emission vehicles and charging infrastructure.
The funding will be provided via the latest round of the Plugged-in Communities Fund that makes £4m available for the purchase or lease of electric vehicles (EV).
This includes wheelchair accessible vehicles and the associated charging infrastructure.
Since the launch of the Plugged-in Communities Fund in 2021, over £4.2m in grants has been provided to 49 community transport organisations to procure 64 new, zero emission vehicles to replace their current diesel vehicles.
Scottish minister for connectivity Jim Fairlie said: “The community transport sector provides many of our most vulnerable groups with access to essential goods and services and to employment, social or leisure activities, helping them to connect with their local areas and wider communities.
“We recognise that these organisations may not have the same access to finance as commercial entities, so I am pleased to announce a further round of our successful Plugged in Communities Fund.
“We’re making £4m available for zero emission vehicles and EV charging infrastructure for operators which provide affordable transport for those who are unable to use conventional public transport, or where public transport is not available.
“Supporting these vital services to decarbonise ensures a just transition and that communities are not left behind as we journey towards Net Zero.”
Achievements and innovations in EV charging infrastructure will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
