The Government of Scotland has strengthened its commitment to phase out new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032 by increasing the overall 2018-19 budget for the Low Carbon Transport Loan from £8m to £20m.

By increasing the loan, the government anticipates that it would encourage businesses and consumers to make the switch to electric vehicles (EV).

In order to further accelerate the transition of EV into public sector fleets, the government has quadrupled the 2018-19 Switched on Fleets budget from £1.2m to £4.8m.

“From the site of the planned hub here in Falkirk and all the way to Scrabster, visitors and local communities will be able to benefit from multiple charge place hubs across the route.”

Scotland Minister for Transport Humza Yousaf attended Falkirk Stadium to launch the Electric A9 project and announce the range of new funding streams on offer.

Falkirk Stadium is the future site of an EV charging hub, which is being funded through Transport Scotland’s European Regional Development Fund Low Carbon Travel and Transport Programme.

Humza Yousaf said: “The Electric A9 will greatly expand and build further resilience into our existing ChargePlace Scotland infrastructure, which is already one of the most comprehensive in Europe.

“From the site of the planned hub here in Falkirk and all the way to Scrabster, visitors and local communities will be able to benefit from multiple charge place hubs across the route.”

The government also announced a new funding stream called Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund.

Yousaf further added: “The new Switched on Towns and Cities Challenge Fund will support local authorities and partners to implement activities to incentivise the uptake of EVs in urban areas.”