Further to the answer to question S6W-39505 by Fiona Hyslop on 13 August 2025, what plans it has to encourage local authorities to adopt th…

The Scottish Government continues to encourage innovative solutions to support equitable access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Scotland.Cross-pavement charging solutions represent a practical approach to EV users who do not have access to off-street parking to access home charging, enabling them to access cheaper tariffs. We recognise the potential of this initiative to support our broader ambitions for a just transition to net zero and to reduce barriers to EV adoption.That is why in August this year in East Lothian I officially launched the Scottish Government launched the Cross-Pavement Charging Grant, which offers up to £3,500 to support the installation of cross-pavement charging solutions. So far, three Local Authorities – East Lothian, Perth and Kinross, and Renfrewshire – are participating in this pilot.We would welcome more local authorities participating. My officials and Energy Saving Trust (EST) are currently in discussion with a number of local authorities about taking part in the scheme.To further encourage uptake of cross-pavement charging, the Scottish Government is actively engaging with local authorities through the SCOTS (Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland) network. This engagement includes the sharing of technical guidance, case studies from pilot areas, and support to assess local feasibility.In addition, the Scottish Government is working to ensure that any deployment of cross-pavement charging solutions do not compromise pedestrian safety or the integrity of public footpaths.We remain committed to supporting local authorities in identifying consistent and safe approaches to cross-pavement charging solutions, and we will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that innovative solutions such as EV cable channels can be deployed effectively and equitably across Scotland.