A £4.3 million initiative to encourage the use of low carbon vehicles by Scotland's public services was unveiled by First Minister Alex Salmond today.

Mr Salmond also told the Holyrood 'Delivering on 2020' conference in Edinburgh that £3.4 million would be invested in a green bus scheme to help towards Scotland's target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent by 2020.

Local authorities will receive 'bridging' funding this year to cover the difference in cost between purchasing conventionally-powered cars or vans and low carbon alternatives such as electric vehicles, while funding will be available for other public bodies and to develop charging facilities. The green bus scheme will similarly incentivise operators to buy eco-friendly models.

Mr Salmond said: "Scotland has established world-leading targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions and so tackle climate change. Meeting those targets will require a wide range of actions, from reducing, re-using and recycling waste at home and at work to becoming more energy efficient and shifting our economy from carbon-heavy power sources to clean, green alternatives, particularly offshore where we have huge, untapped potential.

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"Our Climate Change Delivery Plan commits us to almost completely decarbonise road transport by 2050, with significant progress to be made by 2030. The two schemes I am announcing today will significantly help public bodies and bus operators on that journey. The low carbon vehicle scheme will enable local authorities and other public agencies to invest in eco-friendly vans and cars this year and help drive down air-polluting emissions. The green bus scheme will also provide a fresh incentive to operators to purchase eco-friendly vehicles for their fleet."

First Minister Alex Salmond at the wheel of a low carbon van with Paul Nelson of Allied Vehicles GroupFunding for council vehicles will be allocated later this year through Community Planning Partnerships, following an agreement with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

Cosla Regeneration & Sustainable Development spokesperson Councillor Alison Hay said: "The funding is very welcome and will be helpful to local authorities in establishing demonstration projects. Councils are working towards achieving significant drop in the carbon emissions from the vans and cars we use in delivering services.

"The vehicles are currently very expensive and we need to start work on assessing the practicalities of using them. Our trials will help us see if the new cars and vans are cost effective and can deliver the expected savings from cheaper fuel and lower maintenance costs."

(GK)