Why not in England too?

Scottish motorists are set to benefit from a £2.5 million electric car fund where they can apply for an interest-free loan of up to £50,000 for electric of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The Electric Vehicle Loan is open to anyone buying a new electric or plug-in hybrid car or van, and is offered on top of the UK Government’s Plug-in Vehicle Grant.

Open for applications now, the loan will come from Energy Saving Trust coffers and funded by Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government’s transport agency. Intended to cover 100 per cent of the purchase price of a new electric vehicle, the loan can be repaid over a period of up to six years. Business are eligible for the scheme too, with grants of up to £100,000 available for electric vehicles.

Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay says:

“Encouraging mass changeover to electric vehicles, from more polluting ones running on petrol or diesel, is a key to cleaner road transport in Scotland and a fundamental factor in achieving our ambitious climate change targets while also improving local air quality.

“Electric vehicles already offer large savings to drivers through reduced fuel and taxation costs and this fund will further encourage new buyers by addressing the current cost premium often cited as a barrier to making the switch. I am pleased we are adding this incentive to the growing package of support measures for EVs outlined in the ‘Switched on Scotland’ policy roadmap.”

Read more: Next Green Car