Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current range of electric vehicles that can be considered as taxis; and if there is a case for expanding same to allow the more cost-effective smaller vehicle participate. [3115/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has developed a comprehensive and detailed set of standards by which all vehicles operating in the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry must comply. These standards are explained in NTA’s (available at nationaltransport.ie) and include minimum specifications for age, size, accessibility and comfort. The primary aim of these requirements is to ensure the quality of vehicles in the SPSV sector. All SPSVs are tested for suitability before they are first licensed as SPSVs and again prior to renewal of the vehicle licence.

The following table outlines the current list of suitable electric powered SPSVs as provided by the NTA.

To encourage electric vehicles (EVs) in the SPSV fleet, the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle Regulations 2015) provide discretion with regard to a smaller luggage space requirement for vehicles running on alternative fuels. Specific internal dimensions must still be achieved in order to meet SPSV licensing requirements; such considerations include interior leg room and sufficient space to carry a folded wheelchair. Where the interior dimensions are met, the vehicle can be licensed as an SPSV. The NTA are always looking to increase the choice of vehicles suitable for SPSV use and will continue to evaluate new EVs when they are made available on the market.

The transition of the SPSV fleet towards zero/low-emission vehicles has an important role to play in effecting a substantial reduction in transport CO₂and of air pollutant emissions, particularly in Irish towns and cities due to the high mileage travelled by these vehicles, the stop/start and idling nature of their work, as well as the predominance of fossil fuels within the sector. Increasing the uptake of electric vehicle (EVs) in the SPSV sector also has a strong leadership and demonstration effect on the public, introducing more people to low/zero emission mobility options. As such, I was delighted to announce the continuation and extension of the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme in 2021. Under this scheme enhanced supports, up to €20,000, will be now made available for eligible taxi and hackney drivers switching to EVs. The Scheme is administered by the NTA and I expect the new Scheme Rules for 2021 to be published shortly.

In addition, several vehicle manufacturers are poised to launch new EV models in 2021, which will be evaluated by the NTA once they become available to determine their suitability as an SPSV. I expect that the combination of increasing vehicle choices, the generous purchase grants, and the roll out of dedicated recharging infrastructure will precipitate a steady greening of our SPSV fleet over the coming years.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if support for longer term finance packages have been considered as an alternative to grants to encourage the take up of electric vehicles since the profile of savings from electric driving can make such schemes more attractive than upfront purchase. [3116/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Government has put in place several key policies and provided generous incentives to encourage the transition from conventional fossil fuel vehicles towards lower emitting fuels and technologies including electric vehicles (EVs). EVs are a prominent mitigation measure in the Climate Action Planand Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030.

My Department has convened an Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway Working Groupto produce a roadmap to achieving the near one million EV target by 2030 and to continue the concerted efforts across several Departments to hasten the current trajectory of EV sales. The Working Group has considered regulatory, financial and taxation policies to help drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales from very early in the decade.