Funding of £2.2 million has been secured to build a new electric vehicle charging hub at Castleview Park and Ride in Stirling.

The innovative Green Energy Transport Hub will use solar canopies covering 360 car parking bays to generate and store energy for the smart charging of 22 electric vehicles and e-bikes.

Stirling's hub is one of nine initiatives nationwide to receive Transport Scotland funding.

The project will receive a £1.4m grant from Transport Scotland as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund. The remainder of the money will come from Stirling Council's budget.

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Environment and Housing committee Convenor Cllr Jim Thomson said: "I'm pleased that this grant recognises Stirling's ambitions as a forward-thinking Council with a commitment to developing a world class low carbon infrastructure for the benefit of future generations.

"This investment puts Stirling at the forefront of the low carbon revolution and will encourage more drivers to go electric.

"Electric vehicles are the future and this exciting initiative ensures Stirling is at the heart of Scotland's green charging travel infrastructure."

Scotland is to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2032 – eight years ahead of the rest of the UK.

The Scottish Government is committed to phasing out petrol and diesel cars by 2032 and plans to turn the 269-mile A9 into Scotland's first fully electric-enabled highway.

Grants of up to £4,500 alongside interest-free loans are now available to encourage motorists to switch to electric.

(CM/MH)