Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1471. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of State vehicles which are electric or hybrid; the way in which this percentage compares with 2015 and 2016; and his plans to increase this figure up to 2020. [1949/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not collected in the format sought; however, the following relevant information has been extracted from the National Vehicle File. As of the 31st of December 2017 there were 6,605 vehicles registered under the ‘State Owned, Emergency Vehicles and Rescue Vehicles’ tax classification. The Deputy should note that this definition potentially omits some state/public vehicles that are not registered under this tax exemption category. Based on this definition, the following table summaries the number of hybrid and fully electric “State Vehicles” registered from 2015 to 2017.
|
Relief |
|||
|
31st Dec 2017 |
31st Dec 2016 |
31st Dec 2015 |
|
|
Total State Owned |
6,605 |
6,474 |
6,162 |
|
Petrol Electric |
4 |
4 |
7 |
|
Electric |
4 |
5 |
5 |
As the Deputy is aware, to date the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland has been relatively low. There are a range of factors accepted internationally as being barriers to transition to EV technology including limited vehicle choice, range anxiety and low consumer awareness. This slower than anticipated transition to EVs is not Ireland-specific and does not indicate a lack of ambition or support. Increasing range performances, technology advancements, greater affordability and improved consumer choice will be the greatest levers in triggering large-scale change.
The Government is, of course, very supportive of the transition to EVs. My Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, have jointly convened an interdepartmental Low-Emitting Vehicles (LEV) Task Force to consider a full suite of potential measures to expedite the deployment of low carbon technologies, especially the uptake of EVs. Recommendations from the Taskforce were considered in the budgetary process; subsequently a generous package of measures to promote the uptake of electric vehicles was announced in Budget 2018. Current incentives include the following:
|
VRT Relief |
Continuation of VRT relief in 2018- Up to €5,000 for new EVs until end 2021 and up to €2,500 for new PHEVs. |
|
SEAI Grant Scheme |
Continuation of SEAI Purchase Grant in 2018- Up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new EV or PHEV. |
|
Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) |
EVs and charging infrastructure are qualifying equipment under the ACA scheme. |
|
Charging Supports |
A new grant to support installation of home charger points for buyers of new and second-hand EVs from January 1st 2018. |
|
SPSV Grant Scheme |
A new grant scheme to stimulate take-up of EVs in the taxi/hackney/limousine sector from February 1st 2018. |
|
0% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) |
A new BIK 0% rate to incentivise EVs without mileage conditions for at least three years. |
|
Public Body Procurement |
National Procurement Service to introduce a new public procurement framework contract for EVs in 2018 to allow public bodies to buy EVs with reduced administrative burden. |
|
Public Engagement Programme |
National awareness campaign; Driver experience roadshow; Public sector and commercial fleet trials; Support for EV use in car sharing trials. |
|
Toll Incentive Regime |
Funding to support a reduction in tolls for EVs |
As part of Working Group 1 of the LEV Taskforce – chaired by my Department - the role of public sector leadership in encouraging EV uptake is being examined. The National Procurement Service are planning to introduce a new public procurement framework contract for EVs in 2018 which would allow public bodies to purchase EVs with reduced administrative burden. It is expected that this measure will promote greater uptake of EVs within the State Vehicle Fleet.
