More switched-on Scottish motorists

Fife electrical engineer Neil Swanson has plugged into the benefits of running an electric car.

He covers up to 30,000 miles a year for his work and has gained from slashing his fuel costs by four-fifths.

Interest in electric cars in Scotland is accelerating thanks to a zero-interest loan fund from the Scottish Government – with more than half the £7.8 million pot already claimed.

The Low Carbon Transport Fund gives access to interest-free loans of up to £35,000 to purchase an electric car.

The number of electric cars on Scotland’s roads in the last 10 years has grown, with a 54% rise last year.

Neil, from Rosyth, won a year-long test drive of a Nissan Leaf through an Energy Saving Trust competition.

He is now committed to buying one, having clocked up more than 12,000 miles in just five months.

He said: “When I entered the competition I thought, why not? I wasn’t convinced.

“I had driven old electric vans years ago and the range was awful,” he said. “Now, I love it. “I’m delighted I can buy it through the Low Carbon Transport Fund too,” he added.

Neil travels for his work and regularly clocks up around 26-30,000 miles per year.

He continued: “Instead of going to the petrol station once or twice a week, I just plug the car in at night, like my mobile phone.

“If I have a long drive, I can give it an extra charge at the supermarket while I’m shopping and by the time I’m back out, it’s ready to go again.”

Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “A switch to electric vehicles is vital in helping us realise our vision of freeing Scotland’s towns, cities and communities from the damaging emissions of fossil-fuelled vehicles by 2050.”

Matthew Eastwood from the Energy Saving Trust said: “With petrol prices starting to creep up, electric cars offer a terrific way to escape the pain at the pump.”

Electric cars cost approximately 2-3p per mile, around a fifth of the cost of conventionally fuelled vehicles.

The Low Carbon Transport Fund is still open to applications.

Neil Swanson of Rosyth with his Leaf. Interest in electric cars in Scotland is growing.