4 May 2006

Environment

Electrically Propelled Vehicles

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to encourage the use of zero emission cars and vans by introducing exemption from road tax and recommending exemptions from parking charges and proposed congestion charges for such vehicles.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche):

I assume that the Question refers to electrically propelled vehicles. Under motor tax law electrically propelled vehicles already enjoy concessionary rates of motor tax, which are lower than the minimum rate levied in respect of other propelled vehicles.

I do not propose to extend the exempt tax class, which, other than State-owned vehicles, primarily relates to emergency and disabled drivers vehicles.

Responsibility for parking and congestion charges is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport.