Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the financial support schemes or incentives currently in place to assist drivers who wish to switch to hybrid/electric vehicles in order to reduce their carbon footprint; if it is planned to introduce additional supports in order to assist in meeting Ireland’s climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15060/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government has committed significant funding to support zero and low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund, the Shared Island Fund and the EU Just Transition Fund.

€110m has been allocated in 2023 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.

Current financial supports from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from the Department of Finance, for the transition to electric vehicles and for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure include:

- A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs);

- A Home Charger purchase grant scheme - up to €600;

- VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;

- Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;

- eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV;

- AFHDV grant scheme – a grant for HDVs to bridge the gap between a low emission vehicle and a fossil fuel vehicle;

- Low rate of annual motor tax; and

- Tolling reductions of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

These and related infrastructure supports will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.

In addition a national EV charging infrastructure strategy was published in January this year which sets out the Government's plan to ensure sufficient infrastructure to support drivers to transition. A number of new destination charging schemes are being rolled out this year. In addition, ZEVI is working closely with its stakeholders to develop national plans in respect of local and en-route charging for publication later this year.