Electric vehicle plans announced

A mass deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland has been announced to help the country in its plan to improve the environment.


Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and Transport Minister Noel Dempsey laid out the government plans to ensure that ten per cent of the country’s vehicles by 2020 are powered by electricity.

This breaks down to 250,000 cars, with the plans offering benefits for those using the vehicles.

Businesses will be able to write off 100% of the cost of purchase under the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme, while individuals will also receive assistance for purchases.

Furthermore, Sustainable Energy Ireland will research, develop and demonstrate vehicles nationally in a Euro 1m project.

Mr Ryan said: “This year alone Ireland will send over Euro 6bn out of the country to pay for fossil fuels.

“I want to bring this money back into the Irish economy and fuel our transport fleet with Irish renewable electricity.

“Electric vehicles are central to these plans. We can reduce our fossil fuel bill and help meet our climate change challenges.

“Importantly, this plan will bring major investment and jobs to Ireland as we become a centre for electric vehicles.”

The promotion and assistance towards the development of sustainable energy was the reason why the government set up Sustainable Energy Ireland in 2002.

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