Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2265. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to move to the target of close to 1 million electric vehicles, that is, an increase of 500%, in the space of five years in view of the figures set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019 of a level of 75,000 electric vehicles by 2022 and a level of 175,000 electric vehicles by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33371/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan sets a target of 936,000 electric vehicles on the road in Ireland by 2030. The plan also sets out a range of actions to support this growth which include:
- developing a roadmap on the optimum mix of regulatory, taxation and subsidy policies to drive significant ramp-up in electric vehicles;
- introducing a capital support that will be provided to Local Authorities for the development of on-street public chargers;
- commencing the ESB Electric Vehicle High Power Charging Infrastructure Development Project, supported by the Climate Action Fund;
- including electric vehicle fast chargers as a category eligible for support in the next call from the Climate Action Fund;
- expanding the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant to include shared parking (e.g. in apartment blocks);
- developing an overarching charging infrastructure strategy with a target to be set for the supply of infrastructure to stay ahead of demand; and
- introducing legislation to ban the sale of new fossil fuel cars from 2030.
There is a wide range of supports already available to support the uptake of electric vehicles including:
- a purchase grant of up to €5,000 for new electric vehicles
- Vehicle Registration Tax relief of up to €5,000 for battery electric vehicles and up to €2,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
- grants of up to €7,000 le to support the purchase of electric vehicles in the taxi/hackney/limousine sector;
- Accelerated Capital Allowances for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure;
- a grant of up to €600 to support the installation of a home charger for purchasers of new and second-hand electric vehicles;
- Benefit-in-Kind relief for battery electric vehicles;
- low motor tax of €120 for battery electric vehicles; and
- a discount on tolls of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (up to a maximum amount of €500 per year with greater reductions off-peak on the M50).
A full list of supports is available on www.drivingelectric.ie. This website also provides useful information on the increasing range of models of electric vehicles available in Ireland.
At the end of last month, there were over 11,700 electric vehicles on the roads in Ireland which is over three times the number at the end of 2017. We have seen significant growth over the past 18 months and I believe the policies and measures in place and being developed will support the continuation of this upward trend.
