Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
343. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding spent to date on vehicle electrification; the amount of funding that will be provided to establish the office of low emission vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51148/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProviding a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. The national car and van fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including
EVs, is a necessary step-change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions.
The Government has already committed significant funding to support low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund. The following table outlines the EV programme allocations from 2011 to 2021.
|
Year |
EV Budget Allocation |
|
2011 |
€5,350,000 |
|
2012 |
€1,830,000 |
|
2013 |
€1,150,000 |
|
2014 |
€1,450,000 |
|
2015 |
€3,050,000 |
|
2016 |
€3,550,000 |
|
2017 |
€5,150,000 |
|
2018 |
€9,800,000 |
|
2019 |
€30,100,000 |
|
2020 |
€36,600,000 |
|
2021 |
€36,500,000 |
The eSPSV grant scheme was introduced in 2018 to support the uptake of electric vehicles in the taxi, hackney and limosuine sector. The following table outlines the budget allocations for this scheme from 2018 to 2021.
|
Year |
Budget Allocation |
|
2018 |
€500,000 |
|
2019 |
€500,000 |
|
2020 |
€2,000,000 |
|
2021 |
€15,000,000 |
The eSPSV infrastructure scheme was designed to encourage more taxi drivers to convert to electric vehicles. The project involves installing taxi dedicated electric vehicle chargers at major transport hubs nationwide. 1.5m in funding was allocated in 2020 which saw chargers installed in Dublin (Heuston), Cork and Limerick (Colbert) train stations as well as Dublin and Cork airports. Additional funding of €3m was allocated in 2021.
An alternatively fuelled heavy-duty vehicle grant scheme was launched earlier this year to encourage operators in making the move towards more environmentally friendly models. €3m has been committed to this scheme with further funding to become available in 2022.
The Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme was launched in 2018 to encourage private car commuters who regularly use tolled roads to consider switching to an EV. Under the Scheme, BEVs and PHEVs qualify for 50% and 25% toll reductions respectively up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and €1,000 for commercial vehicles. The Scheme received €1m in funding in 2018, €1.5m in 2019 and 2020, and €2m in 2020. It will continue to be funded in 2022.
In addition, €100m has been allocated in 2022 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles. This is an almost doubling of the provision made available in 2021 and underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all. This funding will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.
Preparations are underway to establish an appropriately staffed and resourced Office of Low Emission Vehicles. Dedicated funding will be allocated to the OLEV as a part of the funds allocated to supporting a switch to electric vehicles in 2022.
