Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to expand the electric small public service vehicles grant to driving instructors and schools in order to give learner drivers early experience of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The aim of the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is to increase the uptake of fully electric SPSVs and zero-emission capable wheelchair accessible SPSVs.

It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO₂emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles. The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs. €15m was allocated in 2022 to support SPSVs to switch to electric. The scheme is kept under continuous review but at present the eSPSV scheme does not include vehicles used in driving instruction. .

There are a range of incentives available to driving instructors with their own business including;

- Tolling reductions of 25% up to a threshold of €500 per annum per household for private vehicles and a maximum annual threshold of €1,000 for commercial vehicles;

- Low rate of annual motor tax;

- Home charger grant of €600 per household;

- VRT relief of up to €5,000 for BEVs; 

- 0% Benefit in Kind and;

- Accelerated Capital Allowances.