Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussion his Department had at senior official level on the introduction of a scrappage scheme for fossil fuel cars to facilitate the uptake of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25370/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Electrification will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2019 Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years.

To this end, my Department has convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Groupto produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. The EVPP Working Groupcomprises senior officials and has considered regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to help drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales. Scrappage schemes were discussed as part of these considerations. The recommendations of the EVPP Working Group are being considered at senior level and will be brought to Government shortly.

Furthermore, considerable progress has been made, as a result of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, to ensure that conditions and policies are in place to support citizens in making greener vehicle choices. As the Deputy will be aware, a comprehensive suite of measures is available to EV drivers, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years, albeit from a low base, to around 32,000 now.