Written answers

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Electric Vehicles

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the electric SPSV scheme for small public service vehicles such as taxis and hackneys that includes grants of up to €20,000 available to existing SPSV drivers who scrap older, high mileage vehicles for new full electric models will be extended after 31 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39202/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The transition of the taxi and hackney fleet towards zero/low-emission vehicles has an important role to play in effecting a substantial reduction in transport CO2 and 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 vehicles 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. The Scheme which is administered by the NTA provides enhanced supports, up to €20,000, for eligible taxi and hackney drivers switching to EVs.

In addition, €15 million was provided this year to support up to 750 taxi and hackney drivers in scrapping their older vehicles and replacing them with zero-emission capable electric alternatives. The scrappage scheme is open for taxis and hackneys reaching their maximum permissible age limit in 2020/21. Up to €20,000 is available for eligible drivers switching to a new all-electric vehicle and up to €32,500 for those moving to a wheelchair accessible full electric vehicle.

A review of the grants will be conducted shortly to ensure their continued effectiveness. This will form part of the Departments deliberations on the future provision of supports to incentivise electric vehicles.

The continuation of the grants to incentivise electric vehicles will be a matter for Government to consider as part of the Budget preparations.

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