Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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14. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on progress towards the 2020 target for electric vehicle use in the State; the number of EV charge points that have been installed by location and type of charge point in each year since 2008; the number of charge points that have been installed by Electric Ireland at private dwellings, by county; if it is likely that the 2020 target will be met; the additional supports he has planned to boost take-up; if his Department has had any discussions with a company (details supplied) with regard to the deployment of their vehicles in the Irish market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3892/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets all Member States a binding target that at least 10% of the energy used in the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland aims to meet this target mainly through the use of sustainable biofuels with electric vehicles also making a contribution.

The Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme supports and incentivises, through grants of up to €5,000, the early deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles. The grant scheme will remain open for this year and I have no plans, at this stage, to introduce any new financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. Additionally, the ESB is continuing to roll out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points.

Ireland's third National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which is available my Department’s website, estimates that approximately 50,000 electric vehicles could form part of the transport fleet in 2020. However, the extent to which electric vehicles are adopted in the short-to-medium term will depend on a range of factors including, inter alia, the strength of the economy, the overall numbers of new cars being purchased, the cost of purchasing and running electric vehicles compared to fossil fuel comparators, and the number of different electric vehicle models available to purchase. There are signs that these factors are improving, and 2014 saw an increase in electric vehicle purchases through the EV Grant Scheme compared to previous years. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, who administer the scheme, has advised of increasing interest in EVs continuing into 2015.

My Department has not had any discussions with the company mentioned regarding the deployment of its vehicles in Ireland. The company has not registered with the SEAI for participation in the EV grant scheme. However, I understand that its vehicles are available for Irish consumers to purchase from the company's website and that there are a small number of the cars registered here.

In relation to the Deputy's question regarding charge points, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the information requested.