Electric vehicle plans outlined

Minister for the environment John Gormley first came up with the target last month, which would see 200,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads by 2020.

And today, minister for communications, energy and natural resources Eamon Ryan and minister for transport Noel Dempsey are set to state how the targets are going to be met.

Expected provisions include the creation of tax incentives for companies buying electric vehicles, the launch of a €1m research and development fund, plus support towards individual car buyers looking to help the environment.

It is believed that by powering electric vehicles through renewable sources such as wind turbines, Ireland will significantly reduce emissions from transport and thus its growing greenhouse gas sector.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael environmental spokesman Phil Hogan recently stated that focusing on improving the environment should become a “national obsession” in Ireland.