Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
999. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied) regarding a proposal for changes to the electric car grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2764/20]
View answerCurrently, there are a generous range of supports available to support the purchase of electric vehicles and related charging infrastructure. The priority of the Government, at this time, is to target supports where they can have the most effect in aiding Ireland's transition to a low carbon economy.
With regards to the electric vehicle purchase grant the objective of the policy is to increase the number of electric vehicles on Ireland’s roads as quickly and as efficiently as possible. As such, it is envisioned that the grant being provided for the vehicle, as opposed to just the battery, will increase initial purchases but also support the development of a second hand market for electric vehicles; an important consideration in terms of meeting demand but also in sustaining and continuing to promote electric vehicle prevalence in the Irish market. It is important in this regard for consumers to know that the market practices of buying and selling an electric vehicle are similar to those that are in place for vehicles which are non electric.
In line with EU and international ambition, the Government will continue to promote this important technological shift for our transport sector and one of the key ways to do this is for consumers to see, in their everyday lives, as many electric vehicles as possible.
My Department is not aware of large scale scrapping of electric vehicles early in the period of their useful life. While there are differences in electric vehicle life cycles I am confident that as Ireland and the EU continue to grow the market we will see electric vehicles have increasing useful life periods.
Developing and increasing the number of electric vehicles on the road is a key priority for this government and in promoting this policy the Government is also committed to monitoring the electric vehicle market as it matures so as to continue to support those schemes which have the most impact in meeting our objectives.
