Assembly Approves Legislation To Boost Electric Vehicle Adoption

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed with the Assembly's approval of legislation aimed at accelerating the uptake of zero-emission vehicles. The new law will introduce sales quotas for vehicle manufacturers, a crucial step in decarbonising the transport sector and combating climate change.

The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (VETS) Amendment Order 2024 is expected to come into force in January 2025, following similar approval by the other UK administrations. The legislation will provide confidence to electric vehicle charging point providers that the number of electric vehicles in Northern Ireland will continue to grow.

Minister O'Dowd highlighted the importance of this initiative in transitioning to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system. By setting sales quotas, the government is encouraging manufacturers to produce more electric vehicles, making them more accessible to consumers. Welcoming Assembly approval Minister O'Dowd said: "The introduction of this scheme is a key driver in how we will collectively meet our climate targets. The aim is to encourage the sale of zero emission vehicles. It is aligned with the British Government's ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, with all new cars and vans to be zero emission by 2035.

"This will accelerate the uptake of zero emission vehicles as these quotas are achieved. Other critical pathways are also being explored by my department to reach net zero. These include the development of a suite of transport plans and the continued investment in zero emission vehicles in the public transport fleet. However, as we are a mainly rural community, the uptake of zero emissions vehicles will be the key to decarbonisation.

"Climate Change is a concern for all of us and this legislation will help to reduce transport emissions, clean our air and make our home a greener place to live and protect our children's future."