Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

214. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the support scheme for chauffeurs to bring fully-electric vehicles into their fleet has been reduced or suspended; if those now-buying fully-electric vehicles will again become eligible for a rebate soon and the way the rebate will be paid. [25554/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The aim of the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is to support the greening of the SPSV sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions 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 and is currently paused to new applicants to allow for the drawdown and payment of provisional grant offers which usually have a time limit of three months. In addition, applicants can apply for a further three month provisional grant offer extension if they have a letter from their dealer stating that the vehicle will be delivered within this timeframe. Once these grant offers have been drawn down, there will be a clearer picture of the funding available for the second half of the year, and I I anticipate the scheme will reopen for applications in the summer.