John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of engagement that his Department has had with the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the rollout of the EV Commercial Fleet Trial; if his Department is promoting this among local and national enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54027/22]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the number of trials that have taken place under the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland EV Commercial Fleet Trial; if his Department is engaging with businesses to promote this trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54022/22]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

165. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that businesses can be a driving force as part of the modal shift towards electric vehicles and the overall electrification of the fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54024/22]

John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the EV Commercial Fleet Trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54026/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 164, 165 and 166 together.

The Government of Ireland have set down ambitious targets to be achieved in the transport sector: a 51% reduction in emissions across the transport sector by 2030 and a target of almost a million electric vehicles (EVs) on Irish roads by 2030.

When combined with policies that support increased active and multi-modal travel, EVs represent a viable pathway for the decarbonisation of the transport sector.

Commercial fleets contribute to the transport emissions in Ireland. There is an opportunity to significantly reduce emissions in the transport sector by encouraging the electrification of commercial fleets. The Government provides a wide range of supports to encourage businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles including:

- Accelerated Capital Allowance

- Benefit in Kind

- eSPSV grant

- A grant support for the purchase of new N1 category electric vehicles for business and public entities.

- AFHDV grant scheme

- The SEAI EV Dealership Awards which recognise and reward excellence in the promotion and sales of electric vehicles in Ireland.

I launched the EV Commercial Fleet Trial on 21 July 2022 to afford businesses the opportunity to test an EV free of charge for a minimum period of 3 months. This trial will allow businesses real world experience of having an EV on their fleet and showcase the benefits, savings and the suitability and viability of EVs in a commercial setting.

The trial will run in four blocks of 50 businesses. The first 50 businesses have had their premises surveyed for installation of charge points with installations for the first block scheduled to be complete by early December 2022. The first 10 participating vehicles should be placed with businesses at the end of November with the remaining 40 vehicles scheduled to be placed with businesses in January 2023. To ensure as positive an experience as possible, ZEVI in conjunction with SEAI have made the decision to install charge points or ensure an operational charging strategy is in place for each business prior to delivery of trial EV.

The participating businesses span a host of different industries and are made up of large industry, public sector and SMEs.