Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding grant support for taxi drivers to purchase electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8384/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, 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 of Transport and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs. €15m has been allocated to the Scheme in 2023 to enable owners of small public service vehicles, such as taxis, hackneys and limousines, to buy electric vehicles. The Scheme is expected to open very shortly.