New regulations have been implemented by the Government which will see the phasing out of fossil fuel vehicles within public bodies.
Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan said the new mandate, under the EU’s Clean Vehicle Directive, aims to promote clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles within public bodies.
Under the new rules by 2025 45% of buses and 10% of trucks procured by public bodies must be "clean" vehicles, while by 2030 those targets rise to 15% and 65% respectively. For lighter duty vehicles (LDVs) the target is 38.5% from 2025.
Mr Ryan said: “These Regulations bring Ireland in line with the European Clean Vehicle Directive targets for public procurement of road transport vehicles, and a step further on the pathway to net-zero carbon by 2050.”
The Department of Transport said the primary aim of these regulations is to promote the uptake of low and zero-emission vehicles by setting binding minimum targets for the share of ‘clean’ (low- and zero-emission) vehicles in agreements undertaken by public sector bodies and consequently stimulating the alternatively-fuelled vehicle market.
It applies to public procurement, including purchase, lease, rent, hire-purchase contracts and relevant services contracts. The targets are legally binding and will become more stringent from 2026.
So far this year, 7% of all news cars sold - and 2.5% of new vans - have been fully electric vehicles. Up to the end of July, 526 new all-electric vans and 6,231 new all-electric cars have been registered in the State. The total national fleet of all-electric vehicles is estimated to be close to 20,000 vehicles.
Minister @EamonRyan has signed in new regulations to phase out fossil fuel vehicles in our public fleets
The new law defines "clean vehicles" & sets national targets for their public procurement - boosting further rollout & demand🚛🍃
📍https://t.co/EmWUmr40Qu pic.twitter.com/FMRg9DfEkd— Department of Transport (@Dept_Transport) August 13, 2021
