An additional £700,000 has been allocated from the Scottish Government low carbon vehicle loan budget to support people with the costs of purchasing an e-bike.
The interest free loan, delivered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of Transport Scotland, offers up to £6000 with a repayment period of up to 4 years. It can support up to two e-bikes capped at £3000 each, one family e-cargo bike capped at £6000 or one adaptive e-bike capped at £6000.
Since the scheme was launched in 2018 the fund has facilitated the purchase of over 740 e-bikes across Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said:
“E-bikes are helping people right across the country to reconnect with cycling and I’m pleased that the Scottish Government can offer additional funding to extend the Energy Saving Trust Ebike Loan Fund.“The continued advances in technology mean that e-bikes provide a fun, exciting and more sustainable alternative to single-occupancy car journeys. They can extend the range people can typically travel by bike and offer adjustable support for when we encounter headwinds or hills here in Scotland.
“As we approach Hogmanay many of us will be thinking of our resolutions and the choices we hope to make the new year. For our health, our wellbeing, the quality of our air and in responding to the global climate emergency – we need more people to leave the car at home and to choose travel in more sustainable ways including e-bikes. Whether it is from available public hire schemes or through purchase, we’re working in partnership to help people to make these positive choices right across Scotland.”
Tim Anderson, Head of Transport at Energy Saving Trust commented:
“The additional £700,000 of eBike Loan funding will enable even more people to access the assisted cycling offered by e-bikes. The interest free loan supports the spread of the cost of the initial purchase, while e-bikes are becoming an increasingly popular option for sustainable and active travel.”
For more information on how the Scottish Government is working to build an Active Nation visit www.transport.gov.scot/activenation
For more information on the fund visit: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/ebike-loan
