According to the Department of Transport, a pilot electric vehicle scrappage scheme offering a €5,000 top-up grant for drivers trading in cars over 13 years old reached its application limit in 75 minutes. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien told The Journal that the program successfully removed 2,000 older, high-emission internal combustion engine vehicles from the road in under 90 minutes after opening in July.
How the EV Scrappage Pilot Worked for Motorists
The ICE2EV Pilot Scheme paired a brand-new €5,000 government grant with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s existing €3,500 EV purchase grant. According to the Department of Transport, the combined financial package lowered the barrier for motorists switching out older polluting transport. The scheme strictly applied to fully electric vehicles and excluded second-hand car purchases. Motorists participating in the program targeted vehicles that were at least 13 years old.
Regional Funding Allocation and Rural Take-Up
According to the Department of Transport, the scrappage initiative ringfenced 65 per cent of its total funding—amounting to €6.5 million—for applicants living outside Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford. The remaining 35 per cent, or €3.5 million, went to urban applicants within those major cities. Minister O’Brien noted that initial departmental data indicates a particularly strong take-up rate across rural regions where public transport options remain limited.
Broader Market Trends and Future Scrappage Plans
According to figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry cited by The Irish Times, total new car sales rose 4.2 per cent in the first half of the year, with 85,203 new registrations. Regular hybrids claimed a 27.7 per cent market share, EVs reached 23.7 per cent, and plug-in hybrids accounted for 14.7 per cent. Following the rapid depletion of the initial pilot budget, O’Brien indicated he is minded to repeat the scrappage scheme next year.
Pro Tip: Check eligibility requirements and keep vehicle registration documents ready ahead of time, as high-demand government grants frequently reach application caps within minutes of opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total grant amount available under the scrappage scheme?
Drivers received a €5,000 scrappage grant from the pilot scheme combined with the existing €3,500 EV purchase grant, bringing total potential government support to €8,500.
How old did a car need to be to qualify?
According to the Department of Transport, vehicles had to be at least 13 years old and powered by internal combustion engines, such as petrol or diesel.
Will the €5,000 EV scrappage scheme return next year?
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien stated that the pilot was exceptionally successful and indicated he is minded to run another scrappage scheme next year.
Have you considered making the switch to an electric vehicle, or did high demand prevent you from accessing this year’s pilot grant? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest transport policy updates.
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