Written answers

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Electric Vehicles

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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273. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the mileage rate payable for 100% electric vehicles; if this rate is consistent with climate action goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46443/17]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The motor mileage rates reimburse an officer only for the costs incurred in using their own cars for official business and are not deemed to be a source of emolument or profit. The rates are agreed with Staff Side Representatives and are determined by a methodology which takes account of the various costs associated with officers using their own cars on official business.

The factors taken into account in calculating the rates include items such as the cost of cars, motor insurance, maintenance, fuel, depreciation among others and also engine capacity (size). The rates are based on engine sizes in three bands: 0 – 1200 CC, 1201 – 1500 CC, and 1500 – 2000 CC. The agreed methodology for calculating the rates is based on a combination of figures issued by the Central Statistics Office and information from the motor industry.

All-electric vehicles are a relatively new and developing technology. The comprehensive information available for petrol/diesel driven cars is not yet available for electric vehicles and, as a consequence, it has not yet possible to devise a mileage rate for electric cars in the same manner as for petrol/diesel vehicles. The current policy of my Department is that civil servants using all electric vehicles may claim reimbursement at the lowest mileage rate (0 – 1200 CC).

Future reviews of the rates will be based on changes to these figures according to the Consumer Price Index. The current system as agreed with Staff Side Representatives will remain in place for three years at which stage it will be further reviewed in light of the conditions then applying to business needs and motoring technology.

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