The Scottish government has announced more than £20 million of funding to support the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs).
Five local authorities have been awarded £12.1 million through the Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund to install 500 new public chargers. And another 31 will receive will receive a share of £8.5 million to install 300 chargers for the latest phase of the Local Authority Installation Programme.
Breaking ground on the construction of an EV charging hub outside Falkirk Stadium, cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, Michael Matheson, said supporting the uptake of ultra-low emissions vehicles is “integral” to Scotland’s sustainable economic growth.
Matheson added: “EVs are a key component of our climate change plan and our goal of making Scotland’s air quality the best in Europe. That is why we have set our ambitious target to phase out the need to purchase new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032.
“EVs can bring profound benefits and by announcing over £20 million to support new EV infrastructure, further reinforcing what is already one of the most comprehensive charging networks in Europe, demonstrates the strength of our continued commitment to this agenda.
Falkirk Council received nearly £2.5 million from the Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund to help build the hub which will feature 32 charging bays supplied by a solar panel canopy and a battery storage system.
Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: “The new hub will ensure that residents and visitors alike will have 24/7 access to charging points at a central location.
“It’s something we want to see expanded and we know will make a difference to our environment.”
John Bynorth at Environmental Protection Scotland said: “People are more aware of the environmental benefits of electric vehicle ownership and the costs of buying the vehicles are coming down.
“We welcome today’s funding announcement which will help make range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers a thing of the past and further accelerate ownership of electric vehicles.”