Low carbon transport
We are promoting the use of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) and aim to phase out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032, ahead of the UK Government's 2040 target.
The Switched on Scotland action plan (2017) set out how we would increase the purchase and use of electric vehicles.
In the Programme for Government 2017 to 2018 we committed to taking a number of actions to increase the use of low carbon and electric vehicles in Scotland.
The UK Government provides detailed statistical information by vehicle type on their website.
EV infrastructure
Scotland has one of the most comprehensive charge point networks in Europe through ChargePlace Scotland (CPS). We have invested over £65 million since 2011 to support development of Scotland’s public EV charging network. By population Scotland has one of the most comprehensive public charging networks in the UK.
In November 2024 we announced plans to expand the electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Ayrshire and the Glasgow City Region. A £6.3 million investment from the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund will lead to the introduction of approximately 3,550 new public EV charge points across the region.
Read more on the Transport Scotland website.
Used Electric Vehicle Loan
The Used Electric Vehicle Loan offers an interest-free loan that can be used to cover the costs of purchasing a used electric vehicle.
Read more on the Energy Saving Trust Website
Switched on Towns and Cities
Switched on Towns and Cities is a competitive capital fund offering grants to projects to incentivise, encourage and promote the uptake of EVs. The projects will be expected to have eligible costs in the range of £1.5 million to £2.5 million, and to focus on a single town or city.
Read more on Switched on Towns and Cities on Transport Scotland's website.
Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund
The Low Carbon Travel and Transport (LCTT) Challenge Fund is a Strategic Intervention of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It is administered and delivered by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of Transport Scotland.
LCTT invests in low carbon transport and active travel hubs that support a variety of low-carbon vehicle refuelling infrastructure including EV charging points, hydrogen refuelling stations and gas refuelling facilities.
Find more information on LCTT on the Energy Saving Trust website.
Electric A9
The Electric A9 delivered EV charge point 'hubs' in and around local communities along the A9. Read more on the Transport Scotland website.
Hydrogen fuel cells
Hydrogen fuel cells (HFC) are another low-carbon alternative for powering vehicles. Compared with EVs, HFCs generally have greater range and faster fuelling times, but are more complex, more expensive, and lack fuelling infrastructure. We believe they are best suited to heavy duty applications such as buses, taxis, freight and rail vehicles.
We are collaborating with Transport Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and stakeholders (represented by the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association) on a number of workstreams on HFCs, including strategic groups and reports.
The main HFC projects in Scotland are:
- Aberdeen Hydrogen Bus Project
- Levenmouth Community Energy Project / Fife Council Hydrogen Station
- Orkney 'Suft and Turf' and Big Hit hydrogen projects
- Perth and Kinross Council
- Scottish Cities Alliance
We published our hydrogen action plan in December 2022.
Transport emissions in Scotland
In 2021 (the most recent year available), transport (including international shipping and aviation) accounted for 28% of Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions under the definition set out in the Climate Change Scotland Act. Road transport made up 75% of transport greenhouse gas emissions. Read more on the Transport Scotland website.