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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Huge £20m boost to UK drivers buying electric vehicles but there's a catch
The push for electric vehicles is expected to stimulate economic growth by creating new green jobs Motorists in part of the UK can benefit from substantial incentives to switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles (EVs) with the help of a £20 million fund. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to accelerate the transition to cleaner transport and reduce carbon emissions, but here's the catch — it is only available to drivers in Scotland. The Scottish Government recently renewed the funding — the scheme was started in 2011 — which comes on top of an investment of around £65 million in strengthening public charging infrastructure. These incentives also support Scotland's ambitious target to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. The £20 million electric vehicle fund features several key components. Interest-free loans are being made available to both households and businesses, with a particular focus on supporting individuals and enterprises with lower incomes. Funding will be available for the Used EV Loan, Switched on Taxi Loan and Used Electric Low Carbon Vehicle Loan for Vans. READ MORE: UK's cheapest city where EV chargers are £6.48 lower - but there's a catch The Scottish Government has made an investment of around £65 million to strengthen public charging infrastructure (Image: BuckighamshireLive - Grahame Larter) These loans can be used for the purchase of new and used electric cars, vans, motorcycles and mopeds. For example, the Used EV loan offers an interest-free loan of up to £30,000 to cover the cost of buying a used EV, and up to £5,000 towards a second-hand electric motorcycle or moped. Businesses are also eligible for the Low Carbon Transport Business Loan, which can provide up to £150,000 to help businesses reduce their carbon impact and fuel costs, with sole traders and partnerships eligible for up to £75,000 of loan support. Taxi drivers are not left out, as the Switched On Taxis Loan covers both new and used electric taxis, with loan limits tailored to company size and structure. In addition to loans, grants are available for vehicle disposal and charging infrastructure. Households within a 20km radius of Scotland's low emission zones, such as those in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, can receive up to £3,000 towards the safe disposal of non-compliant petrol or diesel vehicles, further incentivising the move to electric. There are also grants for installing home EV charge points, with up to £600 in combined UK and Scottish Government support for domestic installations. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: "I'm pleased to announce the allocation of £20million to support our electric vehicle support schemes. (Image: Copyright John Adrian 2020-2021. All Rights Reserved.) "During the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, this will help people access the benefits of modern electric vehicles at a greater range of price points. This means that more people can take climate action as part of our transition to a net zero transport system. "These loans are in addition to what Scotland is already investing through our core Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund. These streams of investment work in tandem to make electric cars and vans the natural choice for drivers by 2030.' Hyslop added: "We've met our target of 6,000 charge points two years earlier than planned through a combination of Scottish Government funding, increasing private sector investment and local authority planning and leadership. "Scotland has more public EV charge points per capita than anywhere else in the UK, outside of London, and we have more rapid public EV charge points than any other part of the UK." Scotland ambitiously aims to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 (Image: Getty Images) As of April 2025, Scotland had the second-most rapid or ultra-rapid electric car chargers in the UK, with 1,885 in place — coming in just behind the Southeast of England. The push for electric vehicles is expected to stimulate economic growth by creating new green jobs, especially considering Scotland's aim to deliver around 24,000 additional public EV charge points by 2030. To access these incentives, motorists and businesses can apply through the Energy Saving Trust, which administers the funding programmes on behalf of the Scottish Government. Detailed eligibility criteria and application processes are available on their website and through local advice centres. Senior programme manager at the Energy Saving Trust, Heather Quin, said: "In addition to supporting individuals and businesses purchasing electric vehicles, we're pleased to also be offering further support to microbusinesses and sole traders to purchase electric vans. "These loans are a practical and inclusive way to help more people switch to electric vehicles, lowering Scotland's carbon emissions and improving local air quality." Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@ for a chance to be featured.
Wales Online
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Drivers warned of closures this week on M4, A470, A40 and A48
Drivers warned of closures this week on M4, A470, A40 and A48 Several parts of the road network are set to be affected in the coming week as repair work takes place There will be roadworks in various places on the M4 during the week ahead (Image: Berkshire Live - Grahame Larter ) Drivers in south Wales are facing potential disruption this week as parts of the M4 will be shut due to planned roadworks. Different sections of the motorway in both east and west Wales will be impacted, including the Prince of Wales Bridge, Baglan, Llandarcy and Llangyfelach. While the closures are only in place overnight, it's important to know which routes will be affected as many of the closures come into force at 8pm. Elsewhere, there are also roadworks on parts of the A470, the A40 and the A48. Below is a list of all the closures you need to know about this week. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . M4 Wenallt Road Overbridge - Road closed - Structural inspections - Diversions in place - 19/05/25-20/05/25 2000-0500 J22 Pilning/Prince of Wales Bridge to J23 Rogiet - Maintenance work - Bridge closed - Diversions in place - 19/05/25-22/05/25 2100-0600 J25A Grove Park to J28 Tredegar Park - Maintenance work - Tunnel closed - Diversions in place - 20/05/25-22/05/25 2000-0600 J41 Pentyla/Baglan - Electrical work - Entry slip road closed - Diversions in place - 19/05/25-20/05/25 2000-0600 J43 Llandarcy to J42 Earlswood - Electrical work - Entry slip road closed - Exit slip road closed - 1 lane closed - Diversions in place - 19/05/25-20/05/25 2000-0600 J46 Llangyfelach to J47 Penllergaer - Electrical work - Entry slip road closed - Exit slip road closed - 1 lane closed - Diversions in place - 20/05/25-21/05/25 2000-0600 A470 Southbound - Upper Boat to Nantgarw - Cyclic maintenance - Road closed - Diversions in place - 18/05/25-19/05/25 2000-0600 Northbound - Upper Boat to Pontypridd - Cyclic maintenance - Road closed - Diversions in place - 19/05/25-21/05/25 2000-0600 Southbound - Pontypridd to Upper Boat - Cyclic maintenance - Road closed - Diversions in place - 21/05/25-23/05/25 2000-0600 Abercynon Roundabout - Roadworks - Temporary traffic lights - 06/01/25-13/06/25 2000-0600 - Delays possible Betws-y-Coed to Llanrwst - 28/04/25-30/06/25 0000 - Improvement work - Temporary traffic lights - Slow traffic Article continues below A40 Raglan to Abergavenny Hardwick R/bout - Resurfacing work - Road closed - Diversions in place - 15/05/25-20/05/25 2000-0600 Abergavenny Hardwick R/bout to Raglan - Resurfacing work - Road closed - Diversions in place - 20/05/25-21/05/25 2000-0600 Wolf's Castle to Letterston - Improvement work - 1 lane closed - STOP/GO in use - Delays possible - 17/03/25-04/06/25 0800-1700 A48 Briton Ferry to A483 Junction - Carriageway maintenance - Bridge closed - Diversions in place - 13/05/25-17/06/25 2000-0600
