Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
50. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration is being given to designing a new grant for EVs in budget 2024, bearing in mind the current grant will be reducing from €5,000 to €3,500 in July 2023; if further incentives are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30142/23]
View answerThe Government has committed significant funding to support zero and low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund, the Shared Island Fund and the EU Just Transition Fund.
€110m has been allocated in 2023 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
Current financial supports from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from the Department of Finance, for the transition to electric vehicles and for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure include:
• A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs);
• A Home Charger purchase grant scheme - up to €600;
• An apartment charger scheme;
• Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;
• VRT relief of up to €5000 for BEVs;
• eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV;
• AFHDV grant scheme – a grant for HDVs to bridge the gap between a low emission vehicle and a fossil fuel vehicle;
• Low rate of annual motor tax; and
• Tolling reductions of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
These and related infrastructure supports will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.
As Budget 2024 discussions are ongoing, I cannot comment on any matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
