Overview
- The Government announced on Wednesday a €10 million pilot that will open for applications from 1 July and run until funds are exhausted.
- Eligible owners of petrol or diesel cars older than 13 years can receive up to €8,500 composed of a €5,000 scrappage payment plus the existing €3,500 EV purchase grant.
- The pilot will fund roughly 2,000 new EVs on a first-come, first-served basis and will reserve 65% of the money for rural areas with the five main cities sharing the remaining 35%.
- Officials also added €30 million to the standing €3,500 EV grant and will cut the grant’s vehicle price cap from €60,000 to €50,000 from 31 July while committing further capital for charging points through 2030, including about €45 million this year.
- Environmental groups and others welcomed the move but warned the scheme excludes second-hand EVs and that more rural charging and affordability measures will be needed if demand outstrips the pilot and for a fair long-term transition.