Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans regarding supports and incentives for persons living in apartments and other multi-unit dwellings to install chargers for electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61602/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government’s policy regarding the increased usage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is primarily driven by the Climate Action Plan which sets a target of 945,000 EVs by 2030.

Home charging is considered the primary method of charging for the majority of EVs in Ireland and is a convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly means of charging, especially when using night rate electricity. It accounts for circa 80% of EV charging sessions and will continue to be the primary method of charging in the future.

The Government earlier this year introduced a requirement that new buildings and those undergoing substantial renovation works will have to include charging points for electric vehicles if they have more than 10 car parking spaces.

The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs. The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600. As regards existing apartment buildings, work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open in the near future.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has examined the potential of retrofitting cars to electric vehicles as part of the ambition to have 1 million such vehicles on the road by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61341/21]

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 Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 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.

The Department is aware of initiatives to retrofit internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles, and is giving the matter active consideration. Innovations that provide reliable solutions for people willing to transition to electric vehicles are to be welcomed, particularly if they provide options for people who might be unable to purchase a new vehicle.

There are various measures to consider when determining the effectiveness of this type of initiative. Department officials are actively engaging with car conversion companies on this matter.