Peugeot and Citroen introduced two new electric car models to Ireland as part of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government and ESB.
Viewing Ireland as an ideal market for electric cars, PSA Peugeot Citroën will supply the Irish market with the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero.
The electrification of transport is required for the successful transition to carbon neutral sustainable travel. The Government’s target is to achieve 6,000 passenger vehicles in operation by 2012. This target has been set in order to generate the critical mass necessary to assist Ireland in achieving its overall goal of ensuring that 10 per cent of all vehicles (equivalent to 230,000 vehicles ) are electric by 2020.
ESB has committed to installing 1,500 publicly accessible charging stations, 2,000 domestic charging points, and 30 fast charging units on a nationwide basis throughout Ireland by the end of 2011.
Peugeot and Citroën will each provide 50 electric cars on the Irish market in 2011, with that figure rising to meet demand. Training on the Peugeot and Citroën Electric vehicles and their maintenance began in Ireland in March 2010 and the first cars will arrive in January 2011. Prices and equipment details for the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero will be announced in January.
Grants of up to €5,000 for electric and hybrid cars will be available from January 1.
