Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
147. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport to outline any consultation his Department has had with conversion specialists (details supplied) to address challenges in retrofitting electric vehicles; and if he plans to have any in the future. [46243/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland 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 Department has previously engaged with companies offering EV conversion options and while the Department is not in current engagement with conversion specialists, innovations which provide reliable solutions for people willing to transition to electric vehicles are welcomed and particularly if they provide options for people who might be unable to purchase a new vehicle.
My Department will continue to monitor the still emerging EV sector for innovations such as vehicle conversion and will engage as appropriate with industry to consider potential future uptake incentives and programmes.
The Government is committed to making electric vehicles accessible to all. 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 roll-out 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.
These and related infrastructure supports will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and accessible rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.
