Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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51. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to proposals to use the frequent replacement of the State car fleet as one method of building a second-hand electric vehicle car market to help reduce transport emissions; if he has plans in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62401/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware, the transport sector accounts for approximately 20% of Ireland’s national greenhouse gas emissions, with car use responsible for over half of these emissions. In recognition of this, the Climate Action Plan contains commitments to significantly increase electrification within the national fleet, including an ambitious target of 945,000 electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. Meeting this target will be extremely challenging; however, it represents the scale of transformation needed in the transport sector if emissions are to be reduced to the extent required.

The State has an important role to play in normalising EVs and promoting their uptake. A positive policy environment has been fostered with a generous suite of financial and taxation incentives in place for those buying an EV as well as an extensive publicly accessible recharging infrastructure network. Presently, there are approximately 47,500 EVs on Irish roads; a significant step-up is required if Ireland is to achieve its Climate Action Plan EV target.

To assist in this aim, the work of Phase 1 of the LEV Taskforce, established by my two Departments to consider a full suite of potential measures available to Government, concentrated on EVs and, as part of this work, the important leadership role that Public Bodies and Government Departments can play in encouraging LEV uptake was considered. The Taskforce recommended the introduction of a new public procurement framework for EVs by 2020 and this recommendation was echoed in the 2021 Climate Action Plan where Action 276 is to "Set a roadmap for more LEVs in Public Sector Fleets".

In addition, the former Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport established the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway Working Group to consider the optimum mix of regulatory, taxation and subsidy policies available to Government to significantly accelerate electric vehicle sales. This Group focused on mechanisms to achieve an immediate increase in EV uptake to attain over 180,000 EVs by 2025 in the line with the Climate Action Plan trajectory and, thereafter, to be well placed to reach full electrification by 2030. In its report, published in September, the Group made a recommendation to:

- Develop proposals to support EV sales in the commercial fleet, including but not limited to car

- rental/leasing companies, company vehicles and car sharing services, in order to stimulate a greater second-hand EV market having regard to potential Exchequer costs

The Office of Government Procurement has drawn up fixed price procurement frameworks for the supply of long and medium range battery electric passenger cars and vans to public sector bodies. Full details on how to use the framework as well as pricing and supplier contact details can be found on the www.ogp.gov.iewebsite. These Frameworks will greatly assist Government departments and bodies to purchase electric cars and vans. As battery and recharging technologies develop and a greater range of vehicles become commercially available I expect an increasing number of public bodies to transition to EVs.

I am supportive of all appropriate and proportionate supports for the EV industry providing momentum towards achieving the Government’s emission reduction commitment.