Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

New figures show that electric vehicle registrations increased significantly in January, with a total of 811 cars sold. That represents a massive increase of 680% on January 2018. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry, SIMI, said that the January figure is more than the total of sales for 2017, and in fact is over 60% of the total for the whole of last year. It is quite clear that this sector is growing, not only internationally but domestically. It is equally clear that, in terms of personal vehicle usage, electric vehicles are the way of the future. I am sure the Minister, and indeed the House, would agree with that statement. However, it is equally clear, based on recent reports and discussions I have had with people, that there is some concern around some of the incentives being put in place. For example, the tolling discounts which were put in place to incentivise the uptake of electric vehicles, have lead to some confusion among existing owners of electric vehicles. Indeed, there is a complete lack of knowledge among perspective purchasers of electric vehicles.

How exactly is this scheme being advertised? A journalist from The Irish Times contacted Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, to get some clarity around how this scheme operates, only to be given incorrect information. While that is itself is not a problem - people make mistakes and we cannot necessarily blame one individual - it goes to show that there is a lack of clarity and consistency around the application of this scheme. The story, from Mr. Neill Briscoe, reads:

[Another] issue, possibly [more] worryingly, seems to be confusion in the ranks over exactly how the discount system should work. A representative from the TII told The Irish Timesthat: "Please note that if people were travelling during peak hours there were no discounts".

That, however, according to the journalist and the regulations, is incorrect. The Department's official rules for the scheme say: "At peak times the discount is reduced from 75% to 50% on the M50, and from 50% to 25% for petrol hybrid electric vehicles". Consequently, there is a discount at peak times, despite TII saying otherwise.

If TII does not know how this operates, how can the public be expected to know? Is this issue recognised within the Minister's Department? Does the Department have a plan to expand this scheme or to clarify it? It is quite clear that this is the way of the future, and that the number of users of this technology is going to go up and up. Some clarity and consistency on this matter would be most welcome. I have spoken to a number of people within the community, and the good news is that the majority - some 60% - of the more than 150 users who were polled on this are happy with the scheme. However, there is a significant minority who are confused by the inconsistencies of the scheme. There are currently five different toll tag operators who apply discounts. Some apply them in a live manner, at the moment a car passes through the tolls. Some apply them by way of a backlog, rebating moneys monthly based on arrears accrued. It is clear that among the toll tag operators, TII and the Department there is a complete lack of clarity and consistency. I would like to hear the Minister's views on this, his plans for the scheme for the future and his own feeling about electric vehicles generally.

See this speech in context