Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the grant for electric taxis will continue in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45355/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Scheme (eSPSV) supports the uptake of EVs in the SPSVs sector (taxis, hackneys, and limousines).

In recognition of the important role the sector plays in decarbonising the broader transport system, the scheme increased from €2m in 2020 to €15m in 2021, 2022 and 2023, with grants of up to €20K available to existing SPSV drivers who scrap older, high mileage vehicles for new full electric models. Drivers can apply for grants of up to €10,000 towards the purchase of a new full battery eSPSV with a further €2,500 available to convert it to a wheelchair accessible model.

Those scrapping older, more polluting, or high mileage vehicles are now eligible for double the normal grant if they make the switch to electric with €20K available for a new full electric or €25K for a wheelchair accessible new battery electric vehicle. The scheme is continuing in 2024 with an overall allocation of €12.5m.

As of end of September there were 398 grants paid under the 2024 Electric SPSV scheme to the value of €6,949,000.

The eSPSV scheme will continue in 2025 with budget allocation to be confirmed.