New €5,000 EV scrappage scheme to launch for owners of older petrol and diesel cars

The pilot scheme is designed to encourage motorists to replace older vehicles with new electric models

The payment can be combined with the existing €3,500 EV purchase grant, bringing total support to €8,500. Picture: PA

A new €10m Government pilot scheme will provide motorists with a €5,000 scrappage allowance towards the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle (EV).

The scheme, announced by transport minister Darragh O'Brien, will open on July 1 and is aimed at encouraging motorists who own petrol or diesel cars more than 13 years old to replace them.