Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It was the same all over the western world. There was not anything different in Ireland from what happened in Britain, continental Europe or indeed America. There are a variety of reasons behind it. I also had to make a decision as Minister where we have a very tight budget. We do not have the money for everything we want. The question is whether we use that €100 million to improve the charging infrastructure by slightly reducing the grant. When I listen to most people, they want to make sure there is good charging infrastructure. That €100 million will be delivered in the next two or three years in a fundamentally improved charging infrastructure, which overcomes some of the concerns people have. I agree with the Leas-Chathaoirleach that the biggest opportunity for emissions reductions for electric vehicles is in rural Ireland because the characteristics he referred to are true.

You do not have a charging problem at home. Often the distances are slightly longer than they would be in urban areas. Therefore, you get a very significant emissions reduction but you also get a saving for the householder because electric vehicles are coming down in price dramatically, which means it is a much cheaper option, particularly if you are in rural Ireland. The biggest problem we will have with electric vehicles is in inner-city terraced and apartment areas where we will have to put in charging infrastructure that fits into the street environment.