We are excited to finally be able to announce that Tiree Community Development Trust has been awarded £147,332 under the Island Communities Fund for a project intended to reduce carbon emissions from transport on the island and improve island infrastructure for use of new vehicle technology.
The announcement was officially made by Scottish Government here, along with funding for several other island projects which have been announced as having received support.
The funding will allow the purchase of a new LDV EV80 9-seat electric minibus with removable seating allowing it to also be used as a small van. The minibus will be operated by the Trust for community use, meeting a number of potential needs for local activities and benefitting projects that develop and support the island economy.
The funding will also ensure the installation of Electric Vehicle charging points as part of the new community owned filling station at Crossapol – helping to future proof this new community asset in preparation for the much needed transition away from fossil fuel use. Two charging points are planned for Stèisean Connaidh Chrosabol (Crossapol Fuel station) which shall both offer AC type 2, CHAdeMO or CCS ports for fast charging using a mobile app based system.
The inclusion of EV charging points has been a feature of discussions and plans for the construction of the new filling station since the very start of the project. The increasing construction costs and constraints of the initial funding budget for the station had meant that further funds were needed to purchase and install the chargers, but the station layout and electrical connections were designed to allow for this at a later date.
We are delighted to have quickly secured the needed funding, and are grateful to the Scottish Government Island Communities Fund for their support for this project, which shall have long-reaching benefits for the Tiree community. The new minibus is currently expected to arrive on island by March, with the charging points likely to be installed around the same time.
