Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
498. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost in 2019 if the budget for the electric vehicle home charger grant scheme increased by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53276/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of electric vehicle charging takes place at home. In order to support this, an Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant was introduced in January of this year. This supports the cost of installing a home charger up to a maximum of €600 for buyers of both new and second-hand electric vehicles.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), who administer the scheme, inform me that to the end of November, 957 grants to the value of €573,060 had been drawn down. SEAI estimate the final spend under the grant scheme for 2018 will be in the region of €700,000.
I intend to maintain the Home Charger Grant Scheme in 2019 and I estimate that it will support the installation of 2,000 home charge points at a cost of circa €1.2m.
If the grant of €600 was increased by 20% to €720, this would lead to the grant supporting 2,000 home charge points costing an estimated €1.44m in 2019
I would note that increasing the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant would not necessarily lead to any increased take-up in electric vehicles.
