Is There an Electric Car Grant in Scotland? (And How Does it Differ From England?)

Unfortunately, there is no longer an Electric Vehicle grant in Scotland. 

 

You can join the mailing lists to find out about potential new grants and funding by following the links in this article. 

 

One of the biggest challenges facing drivers currently is the cost of investing in a new vehicle. If you are interested in purchasing an electric vehicle - but are worried about the price tag attached - then there is funding available in Scotland which can help.

 

However, you should know that these schemes may not help you to buy a new electric vehicle outright just yet.

 

Electric Vehicle Funding Available in Scotland

Prospective EV drivers in Scotland are eligible for more funding than those in England as there are several schemes in place alongside the current UK-wide EV grant.

 

However, at present, the funding you are likely to receive will often be a loan rather than a grant - something to bear in mind if you are considering investing in an electric vehicle.

 

Energy Saving Trust

In Scotland, the Energy Saving Trust offers funding to people who wish to buy used electric vehicles, and a grant to help individuals to install charging points. It also offers funding to businesses hoping to purchase both new and used electric vehicles.

 

The Energy Saving Trust also offers a Used Electric Vehicle Loan on behalf of the Scottish Government.

 

This offers drivers a maximum of £30,000 to help with the cost of buying a used fully electric car or van, and a maximum of £5,000 towards the purchase of a new electric moped or motorcycle. The funding offered in the Used Electric Vehicle Loan is not applicable to plug-in hybrid models.

 

In terms of charging point funding, you could be eligible for a grant of up to 400 if you have a driveway and live in a rural or remote area of Scotland. You may also be eligible for this funding if you have bought a used electric vehicle through the Used Electric Vehicle Loan.

 

Low Carbon Transport Business Loan

What’s more, the Low Carbon Transport Business Loan can give Scottish businesses a loan of up to £150,000 to limit fuel costs for transport when buying new vehicles and reduce the impact of carbon.

 

The repayment window for this loan can last for up to 6 years and it supports purchases of all types of low and zero-emissions vehicles.

 

You can buy an electric moped, an electric motorbike, a hydrogen vehicle, an electric car, an electric van or an electric HGV using this loan.

 

In the future, more electric car grants may be made available to the Scottish public to help with the upfront cost of a new electric vehicle. In the meantime, these loans and schemes may help you to buy a used electric vehicle or ease the charging expenses.

 

Previous Schemes

The electric car grant known as the Plug-in Grant For Cars ended for new customers in June 2022. The Plug-in Grant is no longer being offered to cars in England, as the government is prioritising funding for other electric vehicles - such as taxis, vans, and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

 

Likewise, the Energy Saving Trust did previously offer an Electric Vehicle Loan to help people buy new vehicles, but this loan is no longer available. The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) has also closed, and been replaced with the EV Chargepoint Grant as of April 2022. The EVHS is still open to some homeowners who drive an eligible electric car.

 

Read More

How Can I Afford an Electric Car?

This article can help you to figure out whether a lease or subscription service - or perhaps buying a second-hand electric or hybrid car - may be the right choice for you if you are currently unable to afford to buy an electric car outright.

 

How Much Does it Cost to Charge an Electric Car? (UK)

Aside from the initial purchase, another expense to consider is the cost of charging your electric car. This article breaks down the cost of charging your electric car at home vs at a public charging point, and explains how rapid charging points work.

 

How Much Does it Cost to Install an Electric Car Charger in the UK?

There are several reasons why installing an electric car charger at home could be beneficial to you. This article explains why home chargers can be an efficient, cheap, and safe way of charging your electric car.