Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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467. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of extending the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland electric vehicle grant until 2017 and until 2020, assuming the 2020 targets for electric vehicle usage are met, and not assuming they are not met. [2124/16]

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 increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles also making a small contribution.

The Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme supports and incentivises, through grants of up to €5,000, the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the Vehicle Registration Tax reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to EVs. The grant scheme commenced in 2011 and, to end 2015, the purchase of 1,090 new EVs has been supported. The scheme, which will be kept under review, is continuing this year and an allocation of €4.5 million has been provided for this purpose.