Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
130. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline how much funding was made available for buses under the alternatively fuelled heavy duty vehicles grant purchase scheme in 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20619/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has committed to transitioning to a low carbon economy by 2050 and the transport sector has a significant role to play. The decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective within the sector.
To promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), the Department of Transport launched the Alternatively Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme in March 2021. The Scheme was intended to help bridge some of the difference in purchase price between conventional HDVs and those powered by alternatively fuelled power-trains.
Changes to the General Block Exemption (Reg. 651/2014) in July 2023 impacted the AFHDV Grant Scheme and made it no longer viable under the new regulations. In response, the Department established the Zero Emissions Heavy Duty Scheme (ZEHDV), with a focus on incentivising the purchase of zero emission heavy duty vehicles.
Under the AFHDV Purchase Grant Schemes from 2021-2023 there was a total of €11m made available in funding for the purchase of HDVs, including buses.
• 2021 - €3m
• 2022 - €3m
• 2023 - €5m
The maximum spend for each year did not exceed availability. The budget for ZEHDV in 2024 is €3.5m, to date 10 grant applications have been received for a total of 15 vehicles.
