Darren O'Rourke
Question:191. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the total allocation for electric vehicles in Budget 2021 and Budget 2022, respectively by current and capital funding in tabular form. [61530/21]
View answerTuesday, 14 December 2021
Questions (191)
Written answers
Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. The national car and van fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including EVs, is a necessary step-change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions.
The Government has already committed significant funding to support low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund.
Budget 2021
Responsibility for electric vehicle policy transferred to my Department in 2021 along with the EV programme allocation which can be broken down as follows:
|
Capital |
Current |
|
€36,500,000 |
€600,000 |
In addition, my Department allocated €15m to support the uptake of electric vehicles, in the taxi, hackney and limousine sector via the eSPSV grant scheme in 2021.
|
Scheme |
Budget Allocation (Capital) |
|
eSPSV grant scheme |
€15,000,000 |
In addition, an alternatively fuelled heavy-duty vehicle grant scheme was launched earlier this year to encourage operators in making the move towards more environmentally friendly models. €3m has been committed to this scheme with further funding to become available in 2022.
The Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme was launched in 2018 to encourage private car commuters who regularly use tolled roads to consider switching to an EV. Under the Scheme, BEVs and PHEVs qualify for 50% and 25% toll reductions respectively up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and €1,000 for commercial vehicles. The Scheme received €2m in funding in 2021 and it will continue to be funded in 2022.
Budget 2022
€100m has been allocated in 2022 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles. This is an almost doubling of the provision made available in 2021 and underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all. This funding will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.
Preparations are underway to establish an appropriately staffed and resourced Office of Low Emission Vehicles. Dedicated funding will be allocated to the OLEV as a part of the funds allocated to supporting a switch to electric vehicles in 2022.