Electric vehicles
Using our cars less is always the greenest way to travel, with clear benefits for our health, our streets, and our wellbeing. But when a car is needed, choosing an electric vehicle is a cleaner and more climate-friendly option.
Why going electric matters
All EV types reduce harmful emissions that contribute to climate change, including Hybrid EVs where the main power source is still the petrol or diesel engine. Those where battery is the sole power source (battery electric vehicles) also don’t produce any exhaust emissions, which helps to reduce air pollution and provides immediate health benefits.
Here are some of the reasons more people are choosing electric vehicles:
- They can produce no exhaust emissions.
- They have lower fuel and running costs.
- There are more charging points than ever.
- Newer models can travel further on a single charge.
- You can save up to £3,750 on eligible electric cars through the UK Government’s plug-in grant scheme for vehicles under £37,000.
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TRANSPORT IS OUR BIGGEST EMITTING SECTOR
What Scotland is doing
Scotland’s phasing out the need for new petrol and diesel cars and vans and encouraging private investment to expand the public electric vehicle charging network to significantly reduce transport emissions and help us reach our net zero target.
Today Scotland has one of the largest public charging networks in any UK region. There are now almost 7,500 publicly available charge points, from charging hubs to supermarket and car park chargers.
Grant funding is also available to help to support investment in rural and island communities and for households to install cross pavement charging solutions for those without the ability to charge on driveways.
Find out what you can do to travel less by car.
Take action starting now
To achieve net zero by 2045, we must take action now. Start here to find ways that you can make changes in your life at home and on the go.
