I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 223 together.
Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the Irish Government. 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. Decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.
To promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty sector, my Department launched the Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme in March 2021. The Scheme, which is administered by TII, is intended to help bridge some of the difference in purchase price between conventional heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and those powered by alternatively-fuelled power-trains. To accord with EU State Aid rules, grant levels under the Scheme are calculated as a percentage of the difference in price between a conventionally-fuelled diesel HDV and its alternatively-fuelled equivalent. Maximum grant levels for eligible vehicles depend on the size of the enterprise applying for the grant.
The success of the AFHDV scheme was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and global supply chain issues which resulted in significant delays in the grant applicants receiving their vehicles and drawing down their AFHDV grants. Transport Infrastructure Ireland is now processing 2021 and 2022 grant application drawdowns.
The AFHDV purchase grant scheme is open for applications in 2023 with a budget of €5million. The scheme has been gaining momentum recently with new applications and fund drawdowns.
To date the scheme has processed 49 applications.
Year
|
Grant Paid
|
Open/In Progress Application
|
Withdrawn applications
|
2021
|
8
|
6
|
6
|
2022
|
6
|
12
|
4
|
2023
|
1
|
6
|
0
|
Total
|
15
|
24
|
10
|
Since the AFHDV scheme was launched on 15th March 2021 grants have been approved for 44 applications and a corresponding 180 vehicles.
Scheme Figures – Costs, committed grant funding and grants paid or in payment process.
Year
|
Operational Cost
|
Funding Committed
|
Grant Paid
|
2021
|
117,305
|
€1,248,000
|
€680,045
|
2022
|
86,408
|
€2,359,192
|
€795,432
|
2023
|
-
|
€873,360
|
€122,002
|
Total
|
203,713
|
€4,480,552
|
€1,597,479
|