Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the use of electric vehicles has contributed to carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10778/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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209. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the number of electric vehicles has increased on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10779/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.

Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the 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.

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 of 3,799 at the end of 2017, to over 50,500 now.

Ireland has introduced its objective to be a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050 in a robust fashion through primary legislation. The commitment has been placed on a statutory footing through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. Core Measures will focus on a shift to transport modes with lower energy consumption, including walking, cycling, and public transport; accelerating the electrification of road transport; and the use of biofuels. Examples of key initiatives include a requirement, from 2023, that all new vehicles being purchased by the State are BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles), unless there is no viable electric option.

Modelling for the Climate Action Plan included electrification of the Irish fleet. A number of scenarios were modelled based on all future vehicle sales becoming 100% electric by a given year. The core scenario assumes plug-in electric vehicles rising to 100% of new private car sales (80% battery electric vehicles and 20% plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) by 2029. This uptake profile delivers around 845,000 plug-in electric private cars ‘on the road’ in 2030. The private car fleet emission model suggests that this rate of uptake of electric vehicles will deliver a 36% reduction in tail-pipe carbon emissions per car Km. The overall impact of improved vehicle technology, including electrification, is a 4.0Mt (=29%) reduction in total transport-related carbon emissions by 2030.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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210. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ESB ecar cards require a minimum credit of €5 at all times; the rationale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10544/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The ESB eCars charging network was free to use from 2010 until 2019. In November 2019, ESB eCars introduced fees for fast charger use. The prices are set at 29c per KWh, for subscribers (€5 yearly subscription), and 33c per KWh for pay-as-you-go customers. In addition there is a fee for overstaying at a fast charger. The overstay fee is €5 if a car is charging over 45 minutes.

The fees for use of fast chargers are in keeping with the recommendations of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce which set out that home charging should be the most cost-effective method of charging, followed by on-street public charging and then fast charging – with fast charging no more expensive than the cost of fuelling a conventionally powered vehicle for the same journey.

In 2020, ESB eCars introduced user charges for ESB eCars standard charge points. The pricing is set at 23c per KWh for ESB subscribers and 26.8c per KWh for pay-as-you-go customers. The introduction of fees aimed to encourage further investment in charging infrastructure, ensure consumers are incentivised to charge at home and avoid overstaying at chargers. Electric vehicle owners, including the Irish Electric Vehicle Owners Association, have been broadly supportive of the ESB's introduction of fees.

The application of a minimum credit limit is an operational matter and as such I have referred the Deputy's question directly to ESB ecars for reply. Please advise my Office if a reply is not received within ten working days.