Scotland passes 240,000 EV car club miles

Car clubs across Scotland have now completed over 240,000 miles in electric vehicles (EV), according to latest figures by Transport Scotland.

The Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund, set up by Transport Scotland and delivered by Energy Saving Trust, provides funding for not-for-profit housing associations, housing cooperatives and community groups in Scotland allowing them to secure a zero-emission car club vehicle for use by their tenants and the wider community.

Customers can rent a car for a specified number of hours, paying “a small fraction of the price it would cost to rent out a petrol or diesel car”.

The fund has now supported 15 projects within Scotland. Twelve housing associations and three community groups have received funding for a total of 63 electric vehicles.

The total distance now travelled, which equates to travelling around the world nine times, has also saved 54,674kg of CO2 by offering access to zero emission vehicles contrasted with traditional petrol cars.

 Andy Robinson, Transport Scotland head of fleets, infrastructure and low carbon consumers, said: “EV car clubs are quietly becoming a huge success story in Scotland. 

“Demand is growing, and as we can see from usage levels, they can be valuable tools in helping communities travel across Scotland which can also shake up long held beliefs about traditional car ownership.

“The Scottish government has committed to ensuring that there is a just transition to net zero. This means ensuring we leave no person or community behind from the benefits new technology can offer. Plugged in Communities is helping to include more people in this net zero journey."