Retrofitting fund in Scotland to include taxis, vans and HGVs

A new funding scheme for retrofitting polluting vehicles has been announced to help prepare for the introduction of Low Emission Zones in Scotland’s cities.

The Retrofitting Fund will provide targeted grant funding of £1.09 million in 2019/20 for taxis, heavy goods vehicles, and micro-businesses. Depending on uptake, funding is anticipated to increase every year until 2021/22, with figures confirmed through the normal spending review process.

Following successive years of bus retrofit funding, the new fund will provide financial support to convert taxi, van and HGV engines or exhausts in order to help commercial vehicles comply with new emissions standards to protect public health.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “For taxi drivers, or micro-businesses which rely on their own vans to operate in Scotland’s cities, we are offering financial support which will enable them to comply with new standards on emissions to improve air quality.

“The Retrofitting Fund will open later this month and I would encourage interested businesses and black cab taxi drivers to register on the Low Emission Zone website for further information.

“Scotland’s four biggest cities are making good progress in establishing Low Emission Zones by the end of 2020 in order to protect public health. It’s important that people start thinking now about the proposed emission standards and exploring the funding which will be made available.”

For more information on the Retrofitting Fund and Scotland’s Low Emission Zones visit www.lowemissionzones.scot