The Government, the ESB, and the Renault-Nissan Alliance has announced a comprehensive partnership to position Ireland as a European leader in electric transport.
The partnership includes the development of nationwide electric car charging infrastructure by the ESB, the supply of electric cars by the Renault-Nissan Alliance from 2011, as well as Government policies and incentives that will support the widespread adoption of such vehicles.
Those who purchase electric cars like the new Nissan Leaf can avail of a €5,000 grant. Irish buyers of electric vehicles will be exempt from vehicle registration tax.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan says: “The Programme for Government announced our intention to transform the Irish energy and transport sectors. We have made great strides in renewable energy, energy efficiency and now we begin the electrification of our transport fleet.
“The Irish Government’s target is for 10 per cent of Ireland’s vehicles to be electric by 2020. Today’s agreement with Nissan-Renault will see 2,000 cars on Irish roads by 2011. This keeps us firmly on track to achieve, if not exceed, our goals.”
Those purchasing an electric vehicle will be grant aided by the Government to the tune of €5,000 and exempt from VRT. The ESB will provide the charging infrastructure in the homes of the new owners of electric cars.
“Irish motorists can look forward to the cash, cars and charging points that will make the electric car the smart choice for the Irish motorist.”
Under the agreement, ESB will roll out 3,500 charge points nationwide by December 2011. The rollout has already begun in Dublin and charging points will also be installed in Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick. ESB also plans to install 30 fast charge points across Ireland by the end of 2011, with nine expected to be set up by the end of this year. The new motorway services at Enfield should be among the first of these.
