Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 November 2017
395. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of extending SEAI purchase grants for the purchase of electric vehicles only for each year up to 2023. [50985/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra396. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's projections for the number of electric and hybrid vehicles that will be registered in Ireland by 2023, by year and vehicle type. [50986/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra399. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of electric vehicles that are registered here; and the number of electric vehicles that were registered to date in 2017. [50990/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra400. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of hybrid vehicles that are registered here; and the number of hybrid vehicles that were registered to date in 2017. [50991/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra405. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of building an additional standard electric vehicle charging point; and the estimated cost of building an additional fast-charging point. [51000/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 395, 396, 399, 400 and 405 together.
The electric vehicle purchase grant, introduced in April 2011, provides support of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle or a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. From the introduction of the Scheme to the end of October 2017, grant support has been provided for the purchase of a total of 2,499 vehicles to the value of €11.8 million. During the first ten months of this year, €3.7 million has been provided to support the purchase of 771 new electric vehicles.
Figures from the Central Statistics office indicate that, for the first ten months of 2017, there were 843 new electric vehicles (both battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric) licensed for the first time. The number of new hybrid vehicles licensed for the first time for the first ten months of 2017 is 4,232.
My Department does not collate figures for the numbers of vehicles registered in Ireland. However, based on data from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, at the end of the third quarter this year, there were 3,258 electric vehicles (both battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric) under taxation in Ireland. In addition, over 11,000 hybrid vehicles have been licensed in Ireland.
The purchase grant scheme is demand led. Therefore, it can be difficult to predict exactly how many vehicles will be supported in future years. In May this year, the Government approved and published the National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland 2017 to 2030. This policy framework sets an ambitious target that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero emissions, or zero emissions capable.
The National Policy Framework includes an indicative forecast of the numbers of alternative fuel vehicles at particular milestones up to 2030. In the case of electric passenger cars, the projections indicate the potential for 20,000 cars by 2020 and 250,000 by 2025. More detail, which includes projections for other vehicle types such as goods vehicles, buses and motorcycles, is contained in the framework document which is available on the website of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport.
The ESB, through its eCars programme, has rolled out an extensive public network of charging points across Ireland. With approximately 900 electric vehicle charge points, for a country of our size, we have one of the more comprehensive charge point networks in Europe. It is estimated that the average cost of installing a fast charge point is circa €50,000. The cost of installing a standard charge point is estimated to be up to €5,000. The cost per unit can vary in price depending on the supplier and functionality of the charge point and the associated works for installing the charge point at a site.
The Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. It was established to accelerate the deployment of low carbon transport technologies, including electric vehicles.
Since its formation, the Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce has been exploring the potential for further growth in the electric vehicle market and this has led to a package of measures in Budget 2018. These measures include the continuation of the existing EV purchase grant and a new grant to support the installation of home charger points for buyers of new and second-hand EVs. It is important that the public is aware of the supports available for electric vehicles. That is why I have asked the SEAI to develop an EV Public Awareness Programme which will include an awareness campaign; a driver experience roadshow which will give people the opportunity to drive an EV and experience the benefits for themselves; public sector and commercial fleet trials; and supports for electric vehicle use in car sharing.
