Martin Kenny
Question:343. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the cost of abolishing grants for EVs over €60,000. [38413/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (343)
Written answers
The new target under the Climate Action Plan is to have 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030 (i.e. 845,000 private EV target). 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.
As the Deputy will be aware, 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 with over 102,000 EVs under taxation at the end of August 2023.
The Government provides up to €3,500 towards purchase of new passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and a grant eligibility price cap of €60,000 has applied since July 2021. The price cap was introduced to direct funding away from the luxury car market and towards lowered priced vehicles. There is a grant available of up to €7,600 for large panel vans costing up to €90,000. This grant was introduced in January 2023.
Overall, the Department is acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers. To this end, electric vehicle policy is kept under continuous review in an effort to make low-emission vehicles affordable.