Ireland's €10 Million EV Scrappage Scheme Offers €8,500 Grant for 1,177 Cars

Ireland has introduced a €10 million scrappage scheme offering an €8,500 grant for owners of cars over 13 years old who switch to a new electric vehicle (EV). This grant combines a €5,000 scrappage allowance with the existing €3,500 SEAI EV grant, supporting approximately 1,177 vehicles. The Department of Transport confirmed the first-come, first-served offer aims to encourage EV adoption, though a broader scheme might be considered next year.

Despite the incentive, high EV prices and limited charging infrastructure remain significant barriers. Used car prices are 36 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. Ireland has 3,956 public charging points, with 1,255 DC chargers, significantly fewer than Denmark (53,249 chargers) or Lithuania (7,102 chargers). Planning delays for public charging stations are a major issue, with average build times in Ireland taking two to three years, according to Tesla.

Experts like Ilyas Dogru from FDM highlight Denmark's success due to favorable taxation, low total cost of ownership, and developed charging infrastructure. While short-term incentives like the scrappage scheme generate interest, long-term EV uptake depends on reliable public charging networks, stable electricity prices, and clear tax policies. An agreement with the European Investment Bank to support Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) with infrastructure development guidance is seen as more impactful than temporary price supports.