Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
129. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing a dedicated funding scheme aimed at incentivising commercial bus operators to purchase alternatively fuelled vehicles; or alternatively, if he will enhance the funding under the alternatively fuelled heavy duty vehicles grant purchase scheme to support commercial bus operators to make the transition to EVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20616/24]
View answerIreland has committed to transitioning to a low carbon economy by 2050 and the transport sector has a significant role to play. The decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective within the sector.
Since the establishment of the previous Alternatively Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicles (AFHDV) purchase grant schemes (2021-2023) and the 2024 Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle (ZEHDV) purchase grant scheme, we have offered purchase grant funding to support commercial bus operators to make the transition to EVs.
There was a total of €11m made available in funding for the purchase of HDVs under the AFHDV Purchase Grant Schemes from 2021-2023, including buses. The maximum spend for each year did not exceed availability.
Funding up to €3.5m has been made available to ZEHDV in 2024. To date 10 grant applications have been received for a total of 15 vehicles. There is still funding available in the ZEHDV scheme for 2024.
