Holly Cairns
Question:
303. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the steps that he is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by his Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45575/22]
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The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The acquisition of new equipment and the upgrading of equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for the Defence Organisation. Future equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment priorities planning process.
In this context the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. Budget 2021 provides a Capital allocation of €131m for investment in Defence equipment and barracks infrastructure and will enable continued investment in major equipment platforms such as Defence Forces vehicle fleet. The increased capital funding for 2021 builds on increased levels of capital expenditure totalling €392m over the years 2018 – 2020.
Certain purchasing is carried out by the Defence Forces directly under delegation of financial responsibility which permits the Defence Forces to procure a wide range of goods and services directly, this includes the purchasing of non-armoured vehicles. I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces vehicle fleet consists of approximately 1,700 individual vehicles of different types and configurations. Of this number there are currently eighty one (81) electric powered vehicles (EVs) and three (3) hybrid vehicles.
I am further advised by the military authorities that they maintain two fleets of vehicles; the military fleet and the administrative fleet. The military fleet, which consists of military specific vehicles such as armoured vehicles, trucks and off-road SUVs, comprises approximately 55% of the fleet. The administrative fleet are vehicles that can be purchased commercially such as saloon, stores vehicles and minibuses. They comprise approximately 45% of the Defence Forces fleet.
In line with Government policy in relation to the Clean Vehicle Directive, the Defence Forces are committed to procuring vehicles that have reduced carbon emissions.
Due to the specific nature and requirements of the military fleet of vehicles and the locations where they are likely to operate, these vehicles are Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) type and will be replaced, as required, with fossil fuel ICE vehicles for the reasons outlined above. The Defence Forces, however, endeavours to replace these ICE vehicles with more energy efficient models where possible. For example, the new SUV and Troop Carrying Vehicle (TCV) fleets are being replaced with EURO 6 compliant engines which results in a 50% reduction in emissions compared to the older EURO 3 engines.
The Defence Forces has committed to replacing the administrative fleet with energy efficient (green vehicles) as the technology allows. To date the investment in energy efficient vehicles amounts to €2.8m inclusive of VAT. The Defence Forces has committed to spend a minimum of 10% of the DF vehicle replacement budget on EV in 2022 and a minimum of 12% in 2023, with a commitment to increase investment by a minimum of 2% of budget each subsequent year. Already in 2022 the Defence Forces have taken delivery of ten (10) EV saloons, eight (8) forklifts, eight (8) stores vehicles and five (5) electric buggies.
The Corps of Engineers has spent €988,954 incl VAT on enabling works such as new electrical ring mains, upgrade of substations and distribution boards to facilitate EV charging. A further €65,840 incl VAT has been spent on installing EV charging pedestals. It is anticipated that another €500,000 will be spent on enabling works with an additional €250,000 on EV charging equipment. The total spend on infrastructure is expected to be circa €1.8m.
I am satisfied that, with these new acquisitions and the planning for future clean vehicle procurements, the Defence Forces will continue to have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. At the request of my Department the military authorities are conducting the search, retrieval and collation of same. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
