Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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343. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding spent to date on vehicle electrification; the amount of funding that will be provided to establish the office of low emission vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51148/21]

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. The national car and van fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including

EVs, is a necessary step-change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions.

The Government has already committed significant funding to support low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund.  The following table outlines the EV programme allocations from 2011 to 2021.

The eSPSV grant scheme was introduced in 2018 to support the uptake of electric vehicles in the taxi, hackney and limosuine sector. The following table outlines the budget allocations for this scheme from 2018 to 2021.

The eSPSV infrastructure scheme was designed to encourage more taxi drivers to convert to electric vehicles. The project involves installing taxi dedicated electric vehicle chargers at major transport hubs nationwide. 1.5m in funding was allocated in 2020 which saw chargers installed in Dublin (Heuston), Cork and Limerick (Colbert) train stations as well as Dublin and Cork airports. Additional funding of €3m  was allocated in 2021.

An alternatively fuelled heavy-duty vehicle grant scheme was launched earlier this year to encourage operators in making the move towards more environmentally friendly models. €3m has been committed to this scheme with further funding to become available in 2022. 

The Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme was launched in 2018 to encourage private car commuters who regularly use tolled roads to consider switching to an EV. Under the Scheme, BEVs and PHEVs qualify for 50% and 25% toll reductions respectively up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and €1,000 for commercial vehicles. The Scheme received €1m in funding in 2018, €1.5m in 2019 and 2020, and €2m in 2020. It will continue to be funded in 2022.

In addition, €100m has been allocated in 2022 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles.  This is an almost doubling of the provision made available in 2021 and underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all. This funding will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.

Preparations are underway to establish an appropriately staffed and resourced Office of Low Emission Vehicles.  Dedicated funding will be allocated to the OLEV as a part of the funds allocated to supporting a switch to electric vehicles in 2022.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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344. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to introduce a grant scheme for cargo or e-cargo bikes for either personal or business use; if his attention has been drawn to the scheme in place in the UK; if he has considered such a model for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51182/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The use of e-bikes, including e-cargo bikes, is proving to be an increasingly popular method of travel, whether for commuting or leisure purposes, and is encouraging more people to choose to cycle.

I very much welcomed the announcement by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, of increased thresholds under the existing Cycle to Work Scheme as part of the 2020 July Stimulus package, as well as the expansion of the scheme to electric bikes, including e-cargo bikes. The changes to the Scheme are in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government. 

My Department is in the process of preparing a new Sustainable Mobility Policy following public consultation last year. This new policy framework will provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme, including active travel. Potential incentives for encouraging the purchase or use of e-cargo bikes as a means of active travel will be examined as part of this work, including identifying and considering existing schemes in other countries such as the UK and their adaptability to the Irish context.  I look forward to the completion of this important work by the end of this year.