Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015
564. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has analysed the financial incentives for consumers switching from vehicles powered by diesel or petrol to vehicles powered by electricity; and if he will provide details of this analysis and its conclusions. [41221/15]
View answerOn the issue of the charging infrastructure, I have no function in this matter. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent regulator. Ahead of the introduction of the Electric Vehicles Scheme in 2011, a cost benefit analysis was undertaken in relation to electric vehicles incentives. Findings included:
- Whilst Electric Vehicles have a significantly lower annual running cost, because of their higher purchase price compared with vehicles powered entirely by fossil fuels, they have a higher nominal life cycle cost;
- Electric Vehicles offer major fuel efficiency gains as well as the opportunity for Ireland to exploit its renewable energy resources. Deployment of Battery EVs (BEVs) and Plug in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs) provides an opportunity to reduce the level of CO2 emissions beyond that currently possible with even the most efficient vehicles powered entirely by fossil fuels. Essentially, by shifting to EVs, the potential to energise vehicles with 100% renewable energy becomes possible.
It should be noted that this report was based on 6,000 EVs being grant aided between 2011 and 2012 and over 200,000 EVs forming part of the national fleet by 2020.
