Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Scotland.
This fund is now closed. For any inquires please email Pluggedinhouseholds@est.org.uk
The plugged-in communities grant fund (formerly Plugged-in Households) will continue supporting Scottish community transport organisations in 2023/24.
About the plugged-in communities grant fund
The plugged in communities grant fund supports community transport operators in Scotland to purchase or lease zero emission community transport vehicles.
The funding can cover 100% of costs for one vehicle, either purchase cost or lease costs, to support community trips and services, up to £75,000 per vehicle. This excludes VAT (unless deemed non-reclaimable), and no match funding is required.
This can cover the following zero-emission vehicles:
Cars
Light goods vehicles
Minibuses
Mopeds/ motorcycles
The additional funding follows a popular round 1 fund, launched last year, which supported community transport organisations and highlighted the high demand from the sector to help make the switch to zero emission vehicles.
To apply for this fund, please complete our pre-application check found below.
This year, the fund will allow organisations to apply for 100% funding for one vehicle.
Applicants must meet all the following criteria to be eligible for funding under the plugged-in communities grant fund:
Established community transport organisation or operator in Scotland with a UK bank account. We require that your organisation has operated for 12 months, and that this can be verified.
Provide community transport services. The Community Transport Association define community transport as ‘flexible and accessible community-led solutions in response to unmet local transport needs, and often represents the only means of transport for many vulnerable and isolated people, often older people or people with disabilities. Organisations should always be for a social purpose and never for profit’.
Demonstrate a commitment to provide sufficient charging infrastructure for the electric vehicle funded and/or have access to reliable and sufficient refuelling services/electric chargepoints to meet the needs of their journeys.
Demonstrate a commitment to help Energy Saving Trust and Transport Scotland with the distribution of surveys to residents to assist with monitoring of the scheme.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that receipt of additional funding will not breach new public subsidy rules.
Applicants must ensure that any vehicle ordered, and any charging infrastructure (if required) is delivered and installed by 31 March 2024.
Scotland's public chargepoint network survey and user panel
Energy Saving Trust has been asked by Transport Scotland to research the public charging network and users’ experiences.
By participating in the survey or user panel, your insights will play a vital role in shaping the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Scotland. Your answers will be used to identify pain points, understand your needs, and highlight areas for improvement to make EV charging more user-friendly for drivers across Scotland.
Participants of the user panel will receive a £25 online voucher as reimbursement after their session ends. Terms and conditions apply.
Previous funding
Previous rounds of funding supported housing associations, housing cooperatives and community groups, and included the launch of zero-emission car club services for residents and local communities.
The following organisations were awarded funding in the 2018/19 financial year:
Glasgow’s No.1 Baby & Family Support Service – 1 Vehicle. £56,305.00
Handicabs (Lothian) – 1 Vehicle. £75,000.00
Healthy and Active in East Kilbride – 1 Vehicle. £70,202.00
Homeless Project Scotland – £62,957.00
Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP) – 2 Vehicles. £58,990.00
Lothian Community Transport Services – 2 Vehicles. £150,000.00
Moray Carshare – 1 Vehicle. £35,296.67
South Ayrshire Community Transport – 1 Vehicle. £51,750.00
Southwest Community Transport – 2 Vehicles. £150,000.00
St Madoes and Kinfauns Parish Church – 1 Vehicle. £70,444.00
Tagsa Uibhist – 1 vehicle. £53,800.00
The Food Train – 2 Vehicles. £69,769.00
Calling all EV drivers in Scotland
Share your EV charging experiences and you could win £50.
We want to hear from you about your EV charging experiences at one of Scotland’s public chargepoint networks. Help us to identify barriers, understand your needs, and highlight areas for improvement to make public EV charging more user-friendly for drivers across Scotland.
