Ireland Launches €8,500 EV Scrappage Scheme for New Cars on July 1
Ireland's new EV scrappage scheme, launched July 1, offers an €8,500 grant for new electric vehicles, targeting 2,000 cars with 65% rural funding. Minister Darragh O'Brien announced a €45 million investment in charging infrastructure. While welcomed, concerns remain about affordability for new EVs and the need for second-hand EV support and more charging points.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien confirmed Ireland's new EV scrappage scheme, opening for applications on July 1, will exclusively fund new vehicles. This approach is deemed the «cleanest and quickest way» to promote EV adoption. The scheme aims to fund approximately 2,000 cars on a first-come, first-served basis, with 65% of funding reserved for rural areas.
Participants will receive a €5,000 scrappage grant in addition to the existing €3,500 EV purchase grant, totaling €8,500. O'Brien expects high demand and plans to assess the scheme's progress after the initial 2,000 cars. He also highlighted a €45 million investment this year for new charging points, aiming for a 30% improvement in national EV charging infrastructure and moving towards the EU average of 13,000 charging points from Ireland's current 4,000.
Claire O'Connor from Friends of the Earth welcomed the scheme as a «welcome intervention» for climate policy, especially for rural areas dependent on private cars. However, she noted that the €8,500 grant might not be sufficient for new EVs and advocated for government support for second-hand EV purchases to address affordability and resource use. O'Connor also stressed the critical need for simultaneous investment in charging infrastructure alongside grants.