Electric cars roll-out 'by 2020'

Electric cars are seen as a good way to reduce carbon emissions

Proposals to widen the use of electric vehicles in Scotland are being unveiled by the Scottish Government.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson is launching a consultation on whether all public sector vehicles should be low carbon by 2020.

It also proposes that 95% of new vehicles should be low carbon by 2020.

The consultation has been welcomed by WWF which has also called for more measures to boost the use of public transport.

The proposal seeks to identify what "building blocks" would be required to achieve widespread adoption of low carbon vehicles across the country.

Mr Stevenson said it was incumbent upon the Scottish Government to "back up" its climate change targets with action.

He added: "Emissions from transport have been increasing in recent years and a major uptake of low carbon vehicle technologies is required to reverse this trend.

"We all have a role to play in tackling climate change but the public sector must be seen to set the standard.

"This 2020 target will not only ensure that the public sector is stepping up to the plate on its transport emissions but also help create a market that can drive further development of low carbon technology."

Mr Stevenson said Scottish companies were leading the way in the development of low carbon vehicles.

'Big switch'

WWF Scotland's director, Dr Richard Dixon, said the plans could help reduce one of the nation's biggest sources of carbon pollution.

He said: "Alongside measures to get people out of their cars, a big switch to electric vehicles is going to be an essential part of tackling climate change.

"Although low carbon vehicles are certainly needed, ministers must ensure other policy decisions they take do not simply encourage people to drive more and increase traffic levels.

"With budgets tight, money currently ear-marked for traffic-generating road and bridge building projects should be spent instead on supporting low carbon vehicles and getting people out of their cars by making public transport, cycling and walking more attractive options."

Dr Dixon added that the benefits of such a change would only be maximised if ministers continued to boost the generation of renewable electricity in Scotland.