Government Urged to Boost Electric Vehicle Grants and Public Transport

Climate Change Council Calls for Action to Decarbonize Transport and Improve Infrastructure

The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has proposed an increase in electric vehicle (EV) grants, focusing on low-income households. The council’s recommendations aim to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels by promoting EVs, especially in areas with limited public transport options. The move is critical to reach ambitious emission reduction targets.

EV Grant Enhancement Recommended

The CCAC recommends that the government provide an extra €10,000 in grants to low-income families for electric vehicle purchases. The primary focus will be on areas with poor public transport access. This proposal is part of a broader plan advocating for transport-related incentives to encourage the adoption of battery-electric vehicles, thereby reducing emissions from private transport.

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Ireland’s transport sector is the largest energy consumer, with a 43% share of total energy use. A recent study showed that the number of electric vehicles on Irish roads reached 72,640 at the end of last year, representing just 3.05% of the passenger car fleet (Source 2024). This underscores the need for accelerating the shift.

Challenges and Targets

Despite the need, sales of efficient battery electric vehicles decreased by 24% last year. Moreover, the gains from public transport and fuel-efficient cars were offset by growing transport demand. The CCAC is worried about these trends, mainly since a 50% decrease in transport emissions is mandated by 2030.

The Council’s yearly assessment of the transport sector calls for immediate government measures to sustain emission reductions, including efforts to encourage the use of public transport. It notes that a significant number of students lack access to school transport. The CCAC supports expanding school bus schemes and integrating them with public services.

Infrastructure and Funding

The CCAC also wants an accelerated rollout of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure alongside electricity network improvements. At the end of last year, there were 2,802 slow AC charging points and 786 fast DC charging points, equating to seven charging points per 10,000 people, far below the EU-27 average.

Over €294 million was allocated for active travel infrastructure this year, bringing the total investment since 2020 to over €1.25 billion. While cycling increased slightly, walking declined. Marie Donnelly, CCAC Chair, commented on the review.