Northern Ireland approves legislation to boost EV uptake

The Northern Ireland Assembly has approved legislation which will accelerate the uptake of zero emission vehicles by setting sales quotas for vehicle manufacturers.

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said that this will play a key role in decarbonising transport and fighting climate change, and will also give confidence to the electric vehicle charging points providers that the number of electric vehicles in the north will continue to increase.

The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (VETS) Amendment Order 2024 is expected to come into effect in Northern Ireland next January, following similar approval by the other administrations in England, Scotland and Wales.

“The introduction of this scheme is a key driver in how we will collectively meet our climate targets,” Minister O’Dowd said. “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.”