Scottish Government pledge to end emissions by 2050

The Government in Scotland has pledged to end car emissions by the year 2050. The Scottish Government wants the cities and towns of the country to be completely free of emissions from diesel and petrol vehicles within 37 years. The Scottish Government has released a roadmap that sets out the plans that are in store, which will help motorists and business switch their vehicles to electric. 

Over the next two years, the Government is to spend over £14m replacing it's fleet of diesel and petrol vehicles with alternatives that are electric. There will also need to be charging points installed at all of the main Government buildings. 

The document, which is entitled Switched on Scotland was produced alongside industry experts, environmental and academic bodies and sets out the plans to drive the electric vehicle uptake forward in Scotland. 

Amongst the Government commitments are that by the year 2050, cities, towns and communities in Scotland will be free from the detrimental effects of diesel and petrol vehicles. 

By the year 2040, nearly all of new vehicles sold will be near zero emissions and by the year 2030, half of all vehicles that are fossil fuelled will be pushed out of urban environments across the country. 

There are grants available of up to £5,000 to help with the purchase of an electric vehicle, with £8,000 grants being available for drivers who wish to purchase an electric van. 

Households in Scotland that purchase an electric vehicle will continue to receive an 100% grant for a home charging point. The Scottish Government has also pledged to offer expert advice on the financial and environmental benefits, to help support motorists in adopting electric vehicles. 

There will also be discounted ferry fares for electric vehicles on routes to Bute and Mull being introduced. 

Currently, owners of electric vehicles pay no road tax, the government also state that electric vehicles are actually cheaper to run at around 2-3p a mile, in comparison to 16p per mile for the average family car that is fossil fuelled. 

A third of all Scotland car journeys are less than two miles, with around 1/4 of trips being of just a mile or less.