If you run a hotel, holiday park, campsite or visitor attraction in rural Scotland, EV charging can help guests reach you with confidence. Scotland’s Rural and Island Infrastructure Fund may help cover the cost of installing chargers that serve both your venue and the wider public.

The grant has specific rules about location, public access and the application process. This guide explains who may be eligible and how voltshare can help you plan a project.

Is your site eligible for Scotland’s rural EV charger grant?

The fund is open to registered landowning businesses and charge point operators proposing installations on eligible private land. Your site must be on a Scottish island or fall within categories 5–8 of the Scottish Government’s Urban Rural Classification. You’ll also need a UK business bank account and ownership of, or permission to carry out work on, the land.

The chargers must be publicly accessible. They need to appear on a public charging map once installed, so chargers reserved only for guests or staff do not meet this fund’s requirements. Energy Saving Trust provides a postcode checker and full eligibility guidance to help you check your site.

How much funding could you receive?

For AC chargepoints, including 7kW and 22kW units, the current maximums are:

These are funding limits, not guaranteed awards. The amount available to your project depends on its eligibility, costs and the fund’s assessment. Applications are currently open, but grants are offered on a first come, first served basis and funding can close without notice. Check the live Energy Saving Trust page before making plans.

How to apply for the Rural and Island Infrastructure Fund

1. Discuss your site and charging needs

Start with the basics: where your venue is, who would use the chargers, when the public could access them and what parking and electrical supply you have. Speak to voltshare and we can help you consider a suitable charging setup.

2. Check your location and public access

Use Energy Saving Trust’s postcode checker to confirm whether your site falls within an eligible area. You’ll also need to plan how drivers beyond your guests will find and access the chargers. A gated car park, for example, needs to be accessible throughout the hours you say the chargers are available to the public.

3. Assess the site

The next step is to look at the proposed charger locations, electrical supply, connectivity and any groundworks. Some information can be reviewed remotely first, but the assessment needed for a reliable installation plan will depend on the site.

4. Gather quotes and prepare a project plan

Your application must include quotes for the work and a completed project plan spreadsheet for the relevant funding stream. The quote should make clear what is included, what the grant may cover and what you would need to contribute. Energy Saving Trust recommends researching suitable equipment and obtaining quotes before applying.

5. Agree who will apply

The landowning business can apply directly. A charge point operator can also apply, either as the proposed grant recipient with permission to use the site or on the landowner’s behalf with a formal agreement. If voltshare is supporting your application, we’ll explain what authority and documents are needed for your arrangement.

6. Submit the application before work starts

The application is made through Energy Saving Trust’s Rural and Island Infrastructure Fund page. Make sure the quotes, project plan and any required landowner agreement are included.

Do not begin the project expecting to claim the grant afterwards. Energy Saving Trust says it cannot retrospectively fund work already completed or in progress. Applying does not guarantee an award.

7. Review the grant offer

If your application is approved, read the offer and its conditions before committing to the installation. Check the approved costs, your contribution, delivery requirements and any deadlines with the team supporting your project.

8. Install and make the chargers available

Once the funding and installation plans are agreed, the chargers can be installed and connected to the voltshare platform. You’ll be able to manage charging and payments, while drivers can find the publicly available chargepoints and get support when they need it.

Could this grant work for your venue?

A rural venue can provide a useful stop for EV drivers as well as a charging option for its guests. The key question for this fund is whether your site can offer genuinely public charging in an eligible location.

Contact the voltshare team to discuss your site, or check the official fund guidance for the latest eligibility and application status.