Up to €10,000 in grant funding is available to encourage hauliers to change from diesel- to biomethane- and natural gas-powered HGVs.

The funding for the Vehicle Grant Scheme is available under the Green Renewable Agricultural Zero Emissions (GRAZE) initiative, which is a €32m renewable gas project led by Gas Networks Ireland and supported by the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy’s climate action fund.

The €750,000 Vehicle Grant Scheme is one component of the broader GRAZE project, which provides up to €10,000 per vehicle, covering up to 40% of the cost difference between a diesel- and a gas-fuelled HGV.

Interest

Gas Networks Ireland stated that interest in the grant scheme has been strong since its launch.

While it has indicated a six-month window for applications, there is no fixed closing date.

Grants will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, provided applicants meet the eligibility criteria, and will remain open until all available funding has been allocated.

GRAZE

The GRAZE project received €8.47m of funding from the climate action fund.

Overall, there are four programmes under the initiative, which includes the delivery of infrastructure such as the Mitchelstown central grid injection facility, the Vehicle Grant Scheme and contributions to the construction of compressed natural gas service stations and logistics.