Updated July 2026: The ICE2EV Pilot Scrappage Scheme opened on the 1st July and quickly reached its target of 2000 applications. It is now closed to applicants. A review of the scheme will now take place by the Department of Transport and the SEAI to access its impact and decide upon future rollout.

The Irish Government has announced a new €10 million EV scrappage scheme aimed at accelerating the transition from older petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles (EVs).

The new ICE2EV scheme, announced by Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien, will launch on 1st July 2026 and be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It’s designed to encourage motorists to take older, higher-emitting cars off the road and replace them with new electric vehicles.

There The new €10 million EV scrappage scheme aims to help motorists replace older petrol and diesel vehicles with new electric cars.are over 1,100 charge points in Ireland with more rapid charging hubs planned
The new €10 million EV scrappage scheme aims to help motorists replace older petrol and diesel vehicles with new electric cars.

What is the ICE2EV Scheme?

The scheme targets private motorists who own vehicles that are more than 13 years old. They can scrap an older internal combustion engine (ICE) car and purchase a new battery electric vehicle with financial support of up to €8,500.

The standard SEAI grant for eligible new battery electric vehicles remains available, meaning buyers who qualify under the ICE2EV programme can combine supports when purchasing a new EV.

Eligible applicants will receive €5,000 for taking a qualifying ICE vehicle registered in 2013 or earlier off the road and purchasing a new battery electric vehicle. That’s in addition to the existing €3,500 EV grant from the SEAI, which is integrated into the retail price already of many new EVs.

According to the Department of Transport, the scheme aims to deliver immediate emissions reductions by removing some of the oldest and most polluting vehicles from Ireland’s roads while making EV ownership more accessible to households that may otherwise struggle with the purchase price of a new car.

To ensure balanced access, 65% of the funding will be allocated to rural applicants and 35% to urban applicants, based on Central Statistics Office Census 2022 definitions.

Applicants must demonstrate on the date of application that the ICE car:

  • has been registered in their name within the State for at least 12 months prior to the application;
  • holds a valid NCT certificate, or one expired by no more than six months;
  • has been taxed and insured for road use during the six months prior to the application.

Changes to Existing EV Grants in Ireland

Alongside the launch of ICE2EV, the Government has also confirmed changes to the existing SEAI electric vehicle purchase grant.

From July 2026, the maximum vehicle price eligible for the grant will be reduced from €60,000 to €50,000. The aim is to focus support on more affordable electric vehicles while freeing up funding for the continued rollout of public charging infrastructure across the country.

Volkswagen ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 is one of Ireland’s bestselling electric cars

Supporting Ireland’s EV Transition

The announcement forms part of a broader Government strategy to accelerate EV adoption. There are already over 200,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads. Significant investment continues to be made in charging infrastructure and EV-related supports. Recent initiatives include funding for public charging hubs, consultation on a new national charging infrastructure strategy and grants for electric taxis and commercial vehicles.

Minister O’Brien said the new scheme is intended to help households overcome financial barriers to switching to cleaner transport while contributing to Ireland’s climate targets. Older vehicles remain among the highest emitters in the transport sector, making their replacement a key part of reducing overall transport emissions.

Significant Incentive for EV Buyers

With running costs for electric vehicles typically lower than those of petrol and diesel cars, the ICE2EV scheme could provide a significant incentive for motorists considering making the switch. For drivers with an ageing vehicle approaching the end of its life, the combination of scrappage and existing EV incentives may make electric motoring more affordable than ever before.

Further details on eligibility requirements and the application process are expected to be published by SEAI ahead of the scheme’s launch on 1st July.

The new scheme arrives against the backdrop of a buoyant market for the sale of new electric vehicles in Ireland in 2026. Registrations are up over 50% on last year, while EVs hold a record market share of just under 23%.

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year