Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
545. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to recognise the role of electric and electrically assisted vehicles in providing for sustainable transport and travel; his further plans to regulate for the increase in pedal assisted electric bikes, electric scooters and electric unicycles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2570/19]
View answerA switch to alternatively powered vehicles is a necessary step-change for Ireland to effect substantial reductions in transport emissions. However, it is equally important that the regulation of vehicles and their use protects the lives and safety of all road users and is not simply driven by the market.
In the 'National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland' I outlined my ambition that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland would be zero-emission capable. To support this ambition and a Programme for Partnership Government commitment, an interdepartmental Low-Emitting Vehicles (LEV) Taskforce was jointly convened by my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Phase 1 of the Taskforce considered a range of measures and options available to Government to accelerate the deployment of EVs. Following on from their recommendations a number of generous incentives for EVs were announced as part of Budgets 2018 and 2019 aimed at assisting drivers in purchasing hybrid or electric cars. Phase 1 is now complete; for your information I have included this link to the recently published LEV Taskforce Progress Report.
Before giving consideration to the need to regulate the other vehicles that the Deputy has referred to, I will be asking the Road Safety Authority to conduct an international study into the safe and appropriate use of such vehicles.
