Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated amount that it would cost if the home charger grant scheme for electric vehicles increased to €850 based on 2019 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50077/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to a 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. The national car and van 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.

The SEAI grant scheme aims to encourage behavioural change and support the Government’s commitment to achieving a 51% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. The grant schemes are kept under continuous review to ensure that they are as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.

2,548 home charger grants were paid out in 2019 at €600 per grant totalling €1,528,828. If the home charger grant increased to €850, based on the number of grants paid in 2019, a total of €2,165,800 would be required. However the Deputy should note that home charger grant applications have increased greatly in the last few years with 9,202 home charger grants already paid out this year to end August 2022. The cost of this to the exchequer has been just over €5.5 million. If the grants were increased to €850, the equivalent cost would have been €7.8m.