---

Clean-vehicles target for public bodies

New regulations that transpose an EU directive on energy-efficient vehicles into Irish law have come into effect.

The European Clean Vehicles Directive sets binding minimum targets on ‘clean’ (low- and zero-emission) vehicles for public-sector bodies that order vehicles for their fleets.

It applies to public procurement – including purchase, lease, rent, hire-purchase contracts and relevant services contracts. The targets are legally binding and will become more stringent from 2026.

At least 10% of trucks and 45% for buses in any contract must be ‘clean’ up to 2025, rising to 15% and 65% respectively from 2026. For light-duty vehicles, the target is 38.5%.

“These regulations bring Ireland in line with the European Clean Vehicle Directive targets for public procurement of road-transport vehicles, and a step further on the pathway to net-zero carbon by 2050,” said Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan (pictured).