Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing a vehicle scrappage scheme to support the transition from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles and electric bikes; if his Department has conducted any analysis on the feasibility or potential impact of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14716/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has committed to transitioning to a low carbon economy by 2050 and the transport sector has a significant role to play. There is a current target under the Climate Action Plan to have 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030. Fleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term for the transport sector.

The Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) group report (2021) includes a recommendation on scrappage schemes, and notes the importance that such schemes are targeted specifically to promote the adoption of EVs.

Current financial supports from Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, 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) of up to €3,500;

- A Home Charger purchase grant scheme - up to €300;

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

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

- eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to EVs, including wheelchair accessible EVs;

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

- Low rate of annual motor tax.

It should be noted that the eSPSV grant scheme - which has seen an unprecedented level of interest this year - includes a scrappage component for those scrapping older, more polluting, or high mileage vehicles are eligible for double the normal grant if they make the switch to electric.

Government will continue to support the transition to EVs. The EV grant system remains under regular review and, as addressed within the Programme for Government 2025, will consider the inclusion of additional incentives with a view to increasing uptake and replacing older, polluting vehicles.