Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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998. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants available for electric cars in view the fact that some models are excluded from the SEAI grant; the reason for same in further view of the fact that persons are being encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint; and his plans to address the matter. [2727/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Currently, there are a generous range of supports available to support the purchase of electric vehicles and related charging infrastructure. The priority of the Government, at this time, is to target supports where they can have the most effect in aiding Ireland's transition to a low carbon economy.

As such, in order to qualify for the current electric vehicle purchase grant, an electric vehicle must be classified as M1 (passenger vehicle) or N1 (light commercial vehicle) and meet certain requirements including criteria relating to range and tailpipe emissions. These criteria would encompass quite a wide range of electric vehicles that the average consumer might seek to purchase with up to 45 unique models eligible.

The supports available include a purchase grant of up to €5,000 for new electric vehicles as well as Vehicle Registration Tax relief of up to €5,000 for battery electric vehicles and up to €2,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. In addition, further grants are available to support the purchase of electric vehicles in the taxi/hackney/limousine sector. There are also supports for electric vehicle charging points.

My Department keeps the support levels for electric vehicles under constant review; looking at market data as well as international experience to seek to ensure that the support budget can make the most impact for Ireland and Irish consumers.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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999. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied) regarding a proposal for changes to the electric car grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2764/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Currently, there are a generous range of supports available to support the purchase of electric vehicles and related charging infrastructure. The priority of the Government, at this time, is to target supports where they can have the most effect in aiding Ireland's transition to a low carbon economy.

With regards to the electric vehicle purchase grant the objective of the policy is to increase the number of electric vehicles on Ireland’s roads as quickly and as efficiently as possible. As such, it is envisioned that the grant being provided for the vehicle, as opposed to just the battery, will increase initial purchases but also support the development of a second hand market for electric vehicles; an important consideration in terms of meeting demand but also in sustaining and continuing to promote electric vehicle prevalence in the Irish market. It is important in this regard for consumers to know that the market practices of buying and selling an electric vehicle are similar to those that are in place for vehicles which are non electric.

In line with EU and international ambition, the Government will continue to promote this important technological shift for our transport sector and one of the key ways to do this is for consumers to see, in their everyday lives, as many electric vehicles as possible.

My Department is not aware of large scale scrapping of electric vehicles early in the period of their useful life. While there are differences in electric vehicle life cycles I am confident that as Ireland and the EU continue to grow the market we will see electric vehicles have increasing useful life periods.

Developing and increasing the number of electric vehicles on the road is a key priority for this government and in promoting this policy the Government is also committed to monitoring the electric vehicle market as it matures so as to continue to support those schemes which have the most impact in meeting our objectives.