Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
187. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost per tonne of abating greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating and incentivising switching from diesel and petrol cars to electric cars. [56719/23]
View answer188. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost per tonne of abating greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating and incentivising modal shift from cars to public transport. [56720/23]
View answer189. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost per tonne of abating greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating and incentivising modal shift from cars to bicycles. [56721/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 to 189, inclusive, together.
I am unable to provide specific estimates on the costs of abatement through incentivising behavioural or technological shifts in transport in the manner requested by the Deputy. There are a myriad of factors that influence behavioural, technological and modal choice in transport and the process of isolating and determining the requested abatement costs would require more detailed analysis.
Life-cycle carbon assessment and cost estimates for transport projects or switching technology depend on a number of factors, including electricity pricing, total costs of ownership, detailed consideration of the alternative interventions regarding the quality and form of infrastructure, option, or level of service that is to be provided, along with careful analysis regarding the amount of emissions avoided through the specific intervention. In all cases, accurate estimation depends on the detailed design of a proposed scheme or programme.
As examples, the provision of safe cycling infrastructure is one such intervention considered as required to facilitate and incentivise modal shift from cars to bicycles. In February 2023, based on estimations of then recent project out-turn costs, the National Transport Authority estimated the typical average costs of providing active travel infrastructure (not generally inclusive of land costs) of between €0.1-€0.75m per km for a bollard protected cycle lane, and between €4-€7m per km for a full build segregated cycle track, which may require new footpaths, drainage, lighting and possible junction upgrades.
It is noted also that such construction costs have since been subject to inflationary pressures and further, do not encompass an accurate representation of the cost per tonne of abatement, which would require further analysis regarding the expected levels of transport demand, modal shift from private car usage, and emissions abatement facilitated through the provision of such infrastructure in the relevant geographic location.
Nonetheless, we have set legally binding carbon budgets and emissions abatement targets, and the Government has committed to significant levels of funding for walking, cycling, public transport and electric vehicle infrastructure to support climate action during this decade as part of the c.€35 billion allocation for transport under the National Development Plan 2021-2030.
This includes allocations of €13 billion between 2021 and 2025 and €22 billion between 2026 and 2030 for transport infrastructure projects, which will support delivery of BusConnects programmes in all five cities, the DART+ expansion, and commuter rail programmes in Cork and Limerick, along with the Metrolink project and approximately EUR360m per annum for new active travel (walking and cycling) infrastructure.
It must be noted, however, that the objectives in delivering this infrastructure extend far beyond just carbon abatement, to societal, safety, well-being and economic benefits, and to view or frame the cost of these projects purely in terms of ‘cost of abatement’ would not be representative.
Funding for the support of the rollout of EVs includes many grant and support schemes that facilitate and incentivise switching from diesel and petrol cars to electric cars, as detailed on the Zero Emissions Vehicle Ireland website (gov.ie/zevi), including EV purchase grant schemes, Home/Apartment charging schemes and tax reliefs that are available for battery electric vehicles. Under the recent Budget, c.€102m in total funding has been allocated to support the uptake of electric vehicles in 2024.
This investment in capital infrastructure and EV supports will also need to be complemented by increased and expanded public transport services. Under Budget 2024, a funding package of c.€613.5m was secured for PSO and Local Link services. This funding will support the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2024. Funding has also been secured to support new and enhanced bus and rail services next year.
It is clear that we must move quickly to reduce our carbon emissions and in doing so we must promote a modal shift away from private car use. However, as noted, this will require the delivery of a wide basket of integrated and complimentary measures (including those outlined above) – which modelling shows is capable of delivering the 50% emissions reduction required by 2030 – rather than any single mitigation option, and we are committed to increasing the provision of all sustainable transport alternatives over the coming years to support the reduction of emissions, and to benefit our wider society and economy as a whole.
