Pilot Program Expands Electric Vehicle Accessibility in Scotland

A pilot program, supported by the Scottish Government, is designed to increase the accessibility of electric vehicles for families who lack private parking. The Cross Pavement Charging Grant pilot program will provide financial assistance for the installation of charging infrastructure in East Lothian, Renfrewshire, and Perth and Kinross. Households can receive up to £3,500 to help cover the cost of solutions like pavement gulley technology or pop-up bollards.

Alison Wilkie had a cross-pavement charging channel installed outside her home in North Berwick in 2023. She explained that they wanted to take advantage of lower overnight electricity rates, which made charging at home more affordable than using public charging stations. While they considered sacrificing garden space for parking, they preferred to continue parking on the street. They had previously used a cable under a mat, but this was inconvenient and posed a risk to pedestrians. The channel, arranged by East Lothian Council, has made a significant difference, allowing them to easily charge their car whenever needed. The charger is secured with a pin code, and the installation was done neatly.

The pilot scheme, funded by £250,000 from the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, aims to provide valuable information for national guidelines on cross-pavement charging. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop expressed her pleasure in launching the scheme, highlighting its role in supporting Scotland's transition to electric vehicles, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing the climate emergency. The fund will improve access to electric vehicles for those without off-street parking, promoting accessibility for people with limited public charging options.

East Lothian has already participated in an EV pilot scheme in 2024, where the local authority collaborated with Hiyacar and Transport Scotland to provide employees with access to a car club vehicle for business use. The initiative was guided by mileage claim data analysis, availability of charging infrastructure across East Lothian, and projected demand from the general public.

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian council cabinet spokesman for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, stated that East Lothian has a strong record in supporting the transition to an electric future. Cable gullies offer an accessible option for charging vehicles at home for those without driveways. The council has been piloting this safer method of charging for nearly a year and has received positive feedback from residents.