Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The ICE2EV Pilot Scheme, which launched on July 1st, has committed the available €17M in funding, comprising of €10M for the scrappage grant and €7M for the EV purchase grant.

Approximately 2,000 successful applications were processed within 75 minutes of the scheme opening, supporting the replacement of around 2,000 internal combustion engine vehicles with electric vehicles. While strong demand was anticipated, the level of interest exceeded expectations.

The high level of interest demonstrated in the scheme is welcome and reflects growing consumer engagement with the transition to electric vehicles. This momentum supports Ireland’s Climate Action ambitions, including the target for 30% of the national vehicle fleet to be electric by 2030.

The policy purpose of this capped initiative was to test the effectiveness of scrappage as a tool to stimulate EV uptake among those who may not otherwise transition in the near term, with the ultimate goal of delivering additional emissions reductions necessary for our climate targets.

A detailed review of the pilot scheme will now be undertaken to examine uptake, emissions impact, and overall value for money, to inform any future policy decisions in this area. Data from the scheme will be used to provide insights into the types of vehicles being scrapped, including their age and mileage, and to monitor the regional distribution of uptake, including urban and rural participation.

No decision has been made at this time regarding the introduction of a scrappage scheme in 2027. Any future iterations of this scheme will be subject to the outcomes of the above review, and wider budgetary considerations in line with the National Development Plan Review 2025 Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published in late 2025.