Electric Vehicles

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Questions (594)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

594. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the public transport fleet, including all Córas Iompair Éireann, CIE, companies that are powered by electricity; the number of buses powered by electricity that are owned by Dublin Bus, and by Bus Éireann; the percentage of the overall fleet in each company this makes up; the absolute and percentage targets for electric powering the fleet by 2020; and the incentives he has put in place to encourage the CIE companies to purchase vehicles powered by electricity. [41821/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Public transport fleet data is a matter for Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days. 

The NTA is responsible for purchasing buses on behalf of the CIÉ companies. However, the Deputy may be interested to note that my Department is currently in the process of developing a National Policy Framework (NPF) on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland. As the Deputy will know, transport in Ireland is 98% dependent on oil. To help reduce this dependency and the correlated harmful effects, the Framework is expected to support the provision of refuelling infrastructure for alternative fuels. Other non-infrastructure based incentives, including incentives for supporting alternative fuelled vehicles, will be considered within the scope of the Framework. Pathways for transitioning to alternative fuelled buses will also be considered within the context of a National Mitigation Plan, which is also under development.