Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are grants available for the purchasing of electric cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32836/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2021 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, to over 58,000 at the end of April.

In addition, the Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. The recommendations of the EVPP Working Group were approved by Government and the full report is available online.

In line with the Group’s recommendations to support the transition to EVs:  

- The generous suite of EV supports already in place in Ireland has been retained until at least end-2022. Work is ongoing to identify additional measures to further incentivise EVs and/or disincentivise fossil-fuelled vehicles. Overall, cost-effective, targeted policy supports will continue to be developed and strengthened over the coming years

- Work is under way to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), as a matter of priority, to co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure.  

Overall, the Department is acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers. To this end, electric vehicle policy - including grants - is kept under continuous review with the objective of making low-emission vehicles affordable.