New data reveals a stark divide in electric vehicle (EV) adoption across Ireland, with rural areas lagging behind their urban counterparts. While counties like Wicklow see one in five new cars as electric, in Roscommon, it’s just one in 29 since 2020.
Currently, there are 110,000 EVs on Irish roads, but with the government’s ambitious target of reaching one million by 2030, the pace of adoption, particularly in rural areas, is concerning. In some rural counties, EVs accounted for only one in 43 new car registrations in the first half of this year.
According to Irish Independent, Former Environment Minister Richard Bruton is calling for increased incentives for rural drivers to make the switch to electric. Current incentives include a €3,500 grant for new EV purchases and tax reliefs, but Bruton suggests these might need to be enhanced, especially for those in areas with limited public transport.
“There’s an onus on the government to promote EVs more vigorously,” Bruton said, emphasizing the need for tailored incentives for rural motorists.