A Kerry motor dealer has suggested the government revamp its electric vehicle scheme to include a type of specific green loan for people to afford new EVs.
The EV scrappage scheme was hugely over-subscribed, and closed after just over an hour due to demand.
Under the programme, car buyers could receive an additional €5,000 on top of the existing €3,500 grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to replace their petrol or diesel car with a new EV; the car they are scrapping must be at least 13 years old.
Paul Langston of Divanes Volkswagen, Castleisland, said the scheme should be expanded, as many people cannot afford the new electric vehicles even with the current grant.
He said the government should set up a specific green loan to help people afford new electric vehicles, which can cost tens of thousands of euro.
Meanwhile, Kerry Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly has criticised the government’s ambition on the transition to electric vehicles.
Deputy Daly says this €10 million grant was enough to support around 2,000 motorists, which is a drop in the ocean compared to the 600,000 EVs needed to meet the 2030 target.
Deputy Daly, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on transport, says supports should be extended to second-hand EVs and home charging infrastructure.
He said grants should be targeted on the basis of income, as supports are currently disproportionately benefitting higher-income households.
The Sinn Féin transport spokesperson said the demand is there, but the government is not matching that with ambition, investment, and long-term planning.
