Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2176. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grant incentives provided for the uptake of electric vehicles in the small public service vehicle sector and discounted tolling charges for electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32966/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce, which is co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, is considering the measures and options available to Government to accelerate the deployment of low emission vehicles in Ireland.
As part of its programme of work, Working Group 1 of the Taskforce, which is chaired by my Department, is considering potential leadership initiatives and incentivisation opportunities, as a means of further stimulating electric vehicle (EV) uptake. Based on the interim recommendations of the Taskforce, I was pleased to secure funding in Budget 2018 to introduce a new toll incentive regime for EVs, as well as an EV grant scheme specifically for the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector.
The electric SPSV grant scheme opened to applicants in February this year, and provides purchase reliefs of up to €7,000 for eligible EVs. I have allocated €500,000 from my Department’s “Green Public Transport Fund” in support of the initiative. The grant scheme is administered by the National Transport Authority.
I was also pleased to launch a new tolling incentive regime for EVs earlier this month. This scheme, which is administered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland on behalf of my Department, will bring additional savings to EV drivers by enabling a 50% toll discount for battery electric vehicles and a 25% toll discount for plug-in hybrid vehicles - higher levels of discount are also available across certain toll roads during off-peak journeys.
These incentives are part of a wider suite of measures in place to secure a low carbon transport future, a summary of which is outlined as follows.
|
Incentives |
- |
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VRT Relief |
Continuation of VRT relief in Budget 2018 - Up to €5,000 for new EVs until end 2021 Up to €2,500 for new PHEVs until end 2018 |
|
SEAI Grant Scheme |
Continuation of SEAI Purchase Grant - Up to €5,000 towards purchase of a new EV or PHEV |
|
Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) |
EVs and charging infrastructure are qualifying equipment under the ACA scheme |
|
Charging Supports |
A new grant of up to €600 is available to support installation of home charger points for buyers of new and second-hand EVs |
|
SPSV Grant Scheme |
A new purchase grant (up to €7000) is available to stimulate take-up of EVs in the taxi/hackney/limousine sector |
|
0% Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) |
A new BIK 0% rate to incentivise EVs without mileage conditions for at least three years was introduced |
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Public Body Procurement |
National Procurement Service is to introduce a new public procurement framework contract for EVs in 2018 to allow public bodies to buy EVs with reduced administrative burden |
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Public Engagement Programme |
National awareness campaign/ Driver experience roadshow/ Public sector and commercial fleet trials/ and Support for EV use in car sharing trials to be launched in 2018 |
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Toll Incentive Regime |
Reduced tolling regime for EVs, launched July 2018 |
