Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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457. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that she is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by her Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45584/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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. The national car and van (LGV) fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including EVs, is a necessary step change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions.

My Department recently replaced its 15 year old diesel van with a new electric van procured under the Office of Government Procurement framework.

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the agencies and bodies under my Department’s remit and this is provided below.

The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has a fleet of 42 cars ranging in years from 2012 to 2022.  Since 2019 the Bureau has replaced a number of its older cars with hybrid models and currently has 3 hybrid cars in its fleet. It is the intention of the Bureau to continue to replace existing petrol and diesel cars with electric /hybrid models where possible, taking into consideration logistical practicalities and the unique nature of duties undertaken by the Bureau.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) recently placed an order for two mild hybrid vehicles to replace some of its existing fleet. Over the next few years GSOC will consider the option of replacing more of its fleet with either fully electric or hybrid vehicles.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) is engaged in a pilot assessment of vehicles in a number of locations to assess the feasibility and suitability of electric vehicles and it is hoped and expected that these will replace 2017 diesel engine cars.

The IPS intend to have 10 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in its fleet by the end of 2022 representing 6.6% of the suitable fleet with further investment in 2023 and 2024.

While the pilot will focus on passenger fleet vehicles and light commercials, the IPS continues to research market capabilities to support electric vehicle use for secure cellular transport of Court and inter-prison transfers.  The suitable use of electric vehicles for such purposes is currently unproven, but the Irish Prison Serviced continues to monitor vehicle development and design with further expansion in mind.

An Garda Síochána has purchased a small number of hybrid vehicles as part of ongoing consideration around the feasibility of including a larger number of hybrid and fully electric vehicles within the Government fleet.  Of the 17 cars currently in the Government fleet, two are plug-in electric and one is hybrid. A further allocation of one fully electric vehicle is planned for the near future.

There are currently 3,290 vehicles on the An Garda Síochána Fleet, of which 168 vehicles or 5% are electric or hybrid.  See breakdown below:

Fleet Management plans to roll out electric vehicles (EVs) in conjunction with the required charging infrastructure and are currently liaising with Estate Management to identify Garda Stations that have the electrical supply capacity for the installation of EV charging points. When suitable locations have been identified, Fleet Management will consult with the OPW to prioritise EV charging point installation.

A further seven EVs and 18 hybrid unleaded vehicles are on order with expected delivery in Q4 2022. 

The purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.