The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has urged the Government to introduce an additional €10,000 in grants for low-income households to support the purchase of electric vehicles.
The recommendation particularly targets communities with limited access to public transport, where reliance on private vehicles remains high.
In addition to increased grants, the CCAC is also calling for the introduction of scrappage schemes and other incentives aimed at encouraging a faster transition to battery-electric vehicles.
These measures are seen as vital to decarbonising Ireland’s private transport sector.
Transport currently accounts for 43% of all energy consumption in Ireland, making it a critical focus area in the national climate agenda.
Despite recent efforts to cut emissions, the sector remains a major contributor to greenhouse gas output.
Alarmingly, the sale of battery-electric vehicles—considered key to reducing emissions—dropped by 24 per cent last year.
Gains made through improvements in public transport and the use of more efficient cars were effectively cancelled out by rising overall demand for transport.
The CCAC has expressed deep concern over these trends, stressing that Ireland must achieve a 50 per cent cut in transport-related emissions by 2030.