Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
361. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed cut to grants for hybrid cars will be redistributed to the overall fund for fully electric cars or if it will be returned to the Exchequer; the amount of this cut to the €5,000 grant will save or will provide for other EV grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19248/21]
View answerMy Department provides support through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) towards the purchase of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
The EV Purchase Grant Scheme has recently been updated to support the most efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles on the market. Support in the form of government funding is being refocused to prioritise battery electric cars. Grants for these EVs will continue at a rate of €5000. From the 1st of July 2021, the value of the purchase grant for PHEVs will change from €5,000 to €2,500.
The SEAI grant scheme aims to encourage behavioural change and support the Government’s commitment to achieving a 51% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. The grant schemes are kept under continuous review to ensure that they are as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort. The update to the scheme is in line with the wider policy approach being taken by other EU Member States due to the increasing recognition that PHEV emissions in the ‘real world’ are often higher than ‘official’ emission levels.
My Department has allocated €27 million in 2021 for grants under this scheme. To date this year, approximately €21 million has been spent.
