Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
149. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to achieve a just transition in transport including targeted supports to make EVs accessible and affordable for low and middle-income households and high mileage, car dependent users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45498/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraClimate action and sustainability are key components across the work of my Department, with reducing emissions from the sector being a priority in line with the Climate Action Plan.
It has been widely acknowledged that transport is a particularly difficult sector to decarbonise. The development of the transport chapters of Climate Action Plan 2023, and the subsequent updates of CAP24 and CAP25, identified and set out policies intended to put the sector on a pathway to achieve an emissions reduction of 50% by 2030, using an Avoid-Shift-Improve framework where the aim is to:
• Avoid generating unsustainable additional transport demand through, for example, better spatial, urban, and land-use planning.
• Shift to more sustainable modes of transport, such as active travel and public transport.
• Improve the efficiency of residual vehicle journeys through widespread electrification and the use of renewable alternative fuels.
The Government is fully committed to supporting the transition to zero-emission and the ambitious target to have 30% of private car fleet switched to electric by 2030.
Over €120m has been allocated in 2026 to support the continued transition to EVs which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government's commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
It is also important to note that EV purchase costs have significantly reduced in recent years due to the coming on stream of new EV brands and models from a variety of manufacturers, including smaller and lower cost EVs.
Current incentives to support the continued 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;
•VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;
•eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV, including wheelchair accessible vehicles;
•Low rate of annual motor tax.
Additionally, the Pilot ICE2EV scheme, announced on 3rd June 2026 and funded under the Climate Action Fund, is a capped scrappage scheme offering up to €8500 in support, comprising a €5000 scrappage payment and up to €3,500 in SEAI EV purchase grant to incentivise the replacement of older, higher emission vehicles with new electric vehicles.
EV incentives are kept under regular review to ensure they are providing best value for money to the exchequer.
