Fine Gael to introduce new scrappage scheme to promote Electric Vehicles – Farrell

Fine Gael is to introduce a scrappage scheme to replace petrol and diesel cars with Electric Vehicles, Deputy for Dublin Fingal East Alan Farrell has said.

The party has committed to examining the establishment of a Vehicle Scrappage Scheme to allow drivers trade in their cars for a greener model.

Deputy Alan Farrell said:

“We have had scrappage schemes before and they have worked in changing behaviours.

“We want more people to use electric vehicles and we know people want to use them more. But they are expensive for a lot of people.

“If Fine Gael is in Government and Simon Harris is back as your Taoiseach, we will look at the introduction of a scrappage scheme to replace older, polluting vehicles with electric cars and electric bikes, promoting a cleaner transport system.

“The party is also committing to increasing the number of publicly available EV charging points four-fold to nearly 10,000, ensuring better coverage nationwide and review customs duties on second-hand EV imports to make electric vehicles more affordable. Under the Climate Action Plan, the Government initially set a target of having 175,000 electric passenger cars on the road by the end of 2025 which would increase to 845,000 by the end of 2030.”

Deputy Farrell continued:

“We are making good progress on meeting our 2025 target but we have to make sure we can help make through the climate transition.

“The world is facing a serious threat and we have to ensure we take the necessary steps to help people with the change. We are doing that through the retrofitting grants and helping people make their homes warmer.

“We are doing it through reduced public transport fees to encourage more people taking the bus or train to work. “Fine Gael is also committing to a bike to college scheme to help students with the cost of a new bike.

“We believe these practical measures can help move the dial.”