Community transport organisations across Scotland could receive up to £95,000 in funding to help make the switch to electric vehicles and install the charging infrastructure needed to support them.

The Energy Saving Trust's Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund is now open to new applications, offering significant support towards the cost of a fully electric community transport vehicle and EV charging infrastructure.

Here's what community transport operators need to know.

What is the Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund?

The Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund is designed to help community transport organisations in Scotland transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Eligible organisations can receive funding covering 100% of the cost of a new fully electric community transport vehicle, up to £75,000.

Funding is available for eligible zero-emission vehicles including:

• Electric minibuses
• Electric vans

The grant can also cover necessary accessibility adaptations and the EV charging infrastructure required to keep the vehicle running.

With charging infrastructure included, the total grant award can reach up to £95,000.

No match funding is required, making this a significant opportunity for community transport organisations considering electrifying their fleet.

Can the grant pay for EV chargers?

Yes.

Alongside funding for the electric vehicle itself, successful applicants can receive funding towards a new EV charge point to power the vehicle.

This means organisations can consider the vehicle and the infrastructure needed to charge it as part of the same transition, rather than purchasing an electric vehicle and then having to fund the charging solution separately.

Applicants can apply for one charge point per funded vehicle.

There are some requirements to be aware of. The charge point must be installed by an Energy Saving Trust approved installer and the charger itself must be an authorised model. Voltshare is an Energy Saving Trust approved installer, so we can provide eligible organisations with the required charging solution and support them through the installation process.

Who is eligible for the Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund?

The funding is aimed at recognised community transport organisations and operators in Scotland.

Energy Saving Trust's eligibility requirements include organisations that:

• Are a recognised community transport organisation or operator in Scotland with a UK bank account
• Provide community transport services
• Have been operating for at least 12 months, although newer organisations may be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Commit to having suitable charging infrastructure for the electric vehicle
• Can provide quarterly monitoring information on the funded vehicle
• Meet the relevant Public Subsidy requirements

Community transport can cover a wide range of services designed to meet transport needs that aren't adequately served by conventional transport.

This can be particularly important for older people, people with disabilities and people living in isolated or rural communities.

What will you need to apply?

It's worth preparing early, as you'll need information about both the vehicle and the charging infrastructure.

For the vehicle, applicants are expected to provide a formal quote from a reputable supplier.

If you're including an EV charge point within your application, you'll also need a quote from an approved charge point installer and evidence that you own the proposed installation site or have permission for the charger to be installed there. Voltshare can help with this.

Understanding your charging requirements before submitting your application can therefore make the process much easier.

Choosing the right EV charging setup

Moving to an electric vehicle isn't just about choosing the vehicle itself.

Community transport operators also need to think about where the vehicle will be parked, how long it will have available to charge, its daily mileage and the electrical capacity available at the site.

For example, a vehicle that returns to the same base every evening may have very different charging requirements from one operating long hours or covering higher daily mileages.

Planning this at the start can help ensure the charger installed is suitable for how the vehicle will actually be used.

How voltshare can help

If you're applying for the Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund and need EV charging infrastructure, voltshare can help you understand what your site requires.

We can support community transport organisations with the charging side of their transition, including assessing the site, recommending an appropriate charging setup and arranging installation.

We'll look at how your vehicles are used and the requirements of your site rather than simply recommending a charger without understanding how it needs to work for your organisation.

With the grant potentially covering charging infrastructure as part of a total award of up to £95,000, now is a good time to explore what moving your community transport vehicles to electric could involve.

Thinking about switching your community transport vehicle to electric?

If you're considering applying for the Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund, speak to voltshare about the charging infrastructure you'll need.

We can talk through your site, your vehicles and your charging requirements and help you understand the next steps.

Get in touch with voltshare to discuss EV charging for your community transport organisation.