Bernard Durkan
Question:208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the use of electric vehicles has contributed to carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10778/22]
View answerThursday, 24 February 2022
Questions (208, 209)
Bernard Durkan
Question:209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the number of electric vehicles has increased on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10779/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the 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. Electrification will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years.
A comprehensive suite of measures is available to EV drivers, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years, albeit from a low base of 3,799 at the end of 2017, to over 50,500 now.
Ireland has introduced its objective to be a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050 in a robust fashion through primary legislation. The commitment has been placed on a statutory footing through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. Core Measures will focus on a shift to transport modes with lower energy consumption, including walking, cycling, and public transport; accelerating the electrification of road transport; and the use of biofuels. Examples of key initiatives include a requirement, from 2023, that all new vehicles being purchased by the State are BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles), unless there is no viable electric option.
Modelling for the Climate Action Plan included electrification of the Irish fleet. A number of scenarios were modelled based on all future vehicle sales becoming 100% electric by a given year. The core scenario assumes plug-in electric vehicles rising to 100% of new private car sales (80% battery electric vehicles and 20% plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) by 2029. This uptake profile delivers around 845,000 plug-in electric private cars ‘on the road’ in 2030. The private car fleet emission model suggests that this rate of uptake of electric vehicles will deliver a 36% reduction in tail-pipe carbon emissions per car Km. The overall impact of improved vehicle technology, including electrification, is a 4.0Mt (=29%) reduction in total transport-related carbon emissions by 2030.
Question No. 209 answered with Question No. 208.