Scottish motorists who lack a driveway may be eligible for grants of up to £3,500 to install electric vehicle charging equipment outside their homes. The Scottish Government-funded scheme helps households without off-street parking access domestic electricity tariffs rather than relying on often more expensive public charging points.
Scheme details and current availability
The Cross-pavement Charging Grant is administered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of Transport Scotland and is open to eligible residents in participating council areas. Applications are currently being accepted from households in East Lothian and Renfrewshire, where local authorities have confirmed they are accepting permit applications for cross-pavement charging installations.
The equipment allows motorists to run a charging cable between their property and a vehicle parked on the street without leaving loose cables trailing across the pavement. These installations typically involve an enclosed channel built into the pavement, providing a safer way for households without driveways to charge their vehicles at home.
Funding and costs
Energy Saving Trust advises that installation costs vary depending on the property and local authority requirements but typically start at around £800. The grant can provide up to £3,500 towards an approved installation, including up to £400 towards installing a home charge point.
The funding forms part of the Scottish Government's wider £17.8 million package of electric vehicle incentives for 2026/27, which includes support for households without dedicated off-street parking. Transport Scotland has confirmed that the cross-pavement charging scheme, originally introduced in August 2025, will continue during 2026.
Eligibility and application process
According to Energy Saving Trust, applicants must meet the following conditions: have permission from their local council or pavement maintainer to install a cross-pavement charging solution; own an electric vehicle or provide evidence that they will soon have one; have access to a home charging point or demonstrate that one will be installed; install the equipment at their main home rather than a holiday home, second property or business premises; and live in a participating local authority area. Eligible plug-in hybrid vehicles may also qualify, provided they meet the relevant UK Government requirements.
Council permission is essential, and applications are assessed individually by the relevant local authority. Residents outside East Lothian and Renfrewshire cannot currently have their grant applications processed unless their council begins accepting cross-pavement charging permits. However, Energy Saving Trust operates a register of interest for people living in other council areas and can notify them if their local authority begins participating.
Applications can be made through the official Energy Saving Trust website. Households must first obtain permission from their local authority or pavement maintainer before submitting an application. Energy Saving Trust advises that applicants should receive a decision within eight working days. Successful applicants will receive a grant offer letter confirming the amount of funding awarded and instructions for arranging installation.
Installation work must not begin before the grant offer is received, otherwise the household will not qualify for funding. The grant operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning applicants will need to pay the installer first and then submit a paid invoice and photograph of the completed installation to claim the funding. Energy Saving Trust aims to process claims and make payments within 15 working days.
The grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis, subject to available funding, and applications may close without notice if the budget is exhausted. Motorists living outside participating council areas can also register their interest through the Energy Saving Trust website to receive updates about future availability.
