£500,000 is to be made available to social housing providers, third sector and community providers through the second round of the Plugged-In Households Grant Fund, Transport Scotland revealed on 31 May. The funding aims to allow local residents and staff to access electric vehicles for travel through car share clubs.
Eight housing associations were successful in securing funding for the first round of funding last year. This year third sector organisations such as not-for-profit and community entities will also be able to apply.
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, said: “There has been a fantastic response from social housing providers to the Plugged-In Households Grant Fund, and so I’m delighted that we can respond by providing another half a million pounds to expand affordable access to electric vehicles. [ ] This is an inclusive, innovative and progressive initiative, which gives people affordable access to the latest electric vehicles and offers a real alternative to costly car ownership. [ ] Ultra-low emission vehicles bring profound advantages in responding to the climate emergency and improving air quality – however, the solution cannot simply be more cars with zero emissions. We need to change behaviours and challenge beliefs that car ownership remains a necessity”.
The application deadline is 23 August.