Irish government targeting one million electric vehicles on roads by 2030

Ireland’s Government Climate Action plan will aim to have almost one million electric vehicles in operation in Ireland by 2030.

The plan aims to set out a route for Ireland to achieve greenhouse gas emissions of 51% by the end of the decade.

With public services used to drive major changes, all new vehicles purchased by the State from the end of next year will have to be electric where possible.

It is expected  that there will be half a million more daily journeys completed by either walking, cycling or on public transport by 2030. The transport sector is aiming to cut emissions by between 42% and 51%.

The Taoiseach has said that country has a very significant journey ahead of it, but society should support the plan, which he believes will “transform lives into the future”.

The final document will also set a greenhouse gas emission reduction target for agriculture within a range of 22% to 30%.

Emissions from energy must reduce by 62% to 81%, while a fall in greenhouse gas emissions from businesses has been set within a band of 29% to 41%.

A large grant-aided retrofitting scheme for homes will be central to reducing emissions from housing by between 44% and 56% over the period This scheme will aim to make 500,000 homes more energy efficient by 2030, including retrofitting 36,500 social housing units.

The Department of Housing will also seek to reduce emissions by introducing new building regulations aimed at forcing builders to construct mo

The Minister for Climate Action Eamon Ryan described the plan as one of the most ambitious in the world, saying Ireland is showing leadership on climate and is well placed to tackle it. He said the plan contains around 1,000 measures.

All sectors will get a specific emissions reduction ceiling next year, after the Oireachtas passes the Carbon Budget, which determines the rate by which over-all emissions are reduced over two five-year periods.

The plan envisages a cut in transport between 42% and 50% and calls for half a million daily journeys to be completed by walking, cycling, or using public transport.

Biofuels are to be increased in public transport and there will be an expansion of electric bus and rail fleets.

More specifically, it plans on having 1,500 buses by 2030, while the overall number of electric vehicles in Ireland will be one million.

The state will have a role too, with all public transport and public fleets to be updated to low emission alternatives.