ICE2EV Pilot Scheme Funds 2,000 EVs in 75 Minutes, €10 Million Gone

The ICE2EV pilot scheme, offering a €5,000 grant for scrapping cars over 13 years old and replacing them with new EVs, launched on July 1 at 9 AM. The grant was in addition to the existing €3,500 SEAI purchase grant. Within 75 minutes, the €10 million fund was exhausted, financing 2,000 electric vehicles.

Despite initial website crashes, the scheme significantly boosted EV registrations, which were up 85% compared to the same day last year, with 1,066 EVs processed on July 1. The funding was skewed 65% towards rural areas, attracting buyers in counties like Mayo, Offaly, and Monaghan, which traditionally have lower EV adoption rates. The average scrapped car was 16 years old, exceeding the 13-year threshold, and demand favored smaller, cheaper EV models.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirmed the ICE2EV scheme will not return this year as it was a pilot with ringfenced funds. However, the Department and SEAI will analyze the data to inform future initiatives. The existing €3,500 SEAI grant remains, with an additional €37 million from the Climate Action Fund for EV demand this year. The scheme demonstrated that targeted grants can accelerate EV adoption, especially in underserved regions, contributing to Ireland's goal of 30% electric national fleet by 2030.