Hauliers looking to make the switch to zero emission heavy goods vehicles can access new funding from Transport Scotland, reports Peter Brown.
New funding worth £400,000 has been announced to ‘help prepare workforces for the switch to zero emission heavy duty vehicles (HDVs)’ by moving away from diesel powered trucks.
It follows on from the Scottish Government’s announcement to give more than £20 million in the next two years to encourage more households and businesses with lower incomes to purchase electric vehicles.
The Zero Emissions HDV Skills Challenge Fund will support hauliers as they face key skills and workforce challenges the sector is facing as efforts are made to accelerate the transition.
Cabinet secretary for transport Fiona Hyslop said: “The transition to net zero will lead to a change in the type of jobs within the transport sector, so it’s essential we help workers access the skills they need to adapt to and support that change.
“The Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicles Skills Challenge Fund is being launched to support organisations in addressing the key challenges for the sector – covering issues such as access to training, increasing diversity and encouraging private investment in skills.
“The delivery of this fund is a Programme For Government commitment and I encourage companies to take this opportunity to develop skills for the transition and tackle long-standing workforce challenges making the sector more attractive to new entrants.”
The fund is open to private, public and third sector organisations with the total available funding for all projects is £400,000.
Awards for individual projects are not expected to exceed £100,000. All funded activity must be complete by 31 March 2026.
To apply, download the application pack and follow the instructions. The deadline for return of applications is noon on 9 July 2025.
