Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
176. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a grant payment comparable to the fuel grant associated with the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme for persons who qualify for the scheme but who have electric vehicles. [45129/22]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDDPS) provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. Subject to meeting vehicle and adaptation conditions, electric vehicles can avail of DDS provisions.
Under DDDPS provisions, the reliefs from VRT and VAT are generous in nature amounting to up to €10,000, €16,000 or €22,000, depending on the level of adaption required for the vehicle. There is no differentiation between electric and other vehicles in terms of available VRT/VAT relief.
Section 135C(3)(b) of the Finance Act 1992 separately provides that a Category A series production electric vehicle can avail of relief of up to €5,000 on the VRT due. Thus the amount of VRT due or paid on an electric vehicle may be lower than the maximum DDS relief permitted. In such cases the VRT relief provided through the DDS will equate to the actual VRT due or paid. VAT refunds are provided regardless of the type of vehicle.
DDS Scheme recipients with a petrol or diesel vehicle may claim payment of a fuel grant. The fuel grant covers the excise tax elements of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It is based on a per litre rate of €0.636 for petrol, €0.535 for diesel and €0.118 LPG in respect of the mineral oil taxes applying to these products. An annual maximum of 2,730 litres applies in respect of a driver or passenger, and 4,100 litres in respect of an organisation.
However, as electricity supplied for household use is not subject to electricity tax, there is no provision under the DDS to cover a grant scheme for electricity used to recharge electric vehicles similar to that provided for petrol or diesel vehicles.
