Green cars are all the rage in the motoring Press with every motor show seemingly devoted to exciting new concepts and talks about establishing fuel efficient cars to prompt a resurgence in a flagging market. Why, hybrids have even increased their market share to more than three per cent.
However, it seems that in some areas green cars are not catching on so quickly. In particular, electric cars are failing to get off the ground in Dublin with reports that only two NICE Mega City vehicles have been sold – and one of them was to a Green Party councillor.
Despite low running costs of about €2 a week, Irish motorists are reluctant to make the change perhaps put off by the initial price tag of €16,500.
Arguments are being made that there are simply not enough incentives to go green in the Irish capital. Although there are savings to be made on road tax, critics have lashed out at the city’s failure to offer the same measures as the likes of France and Italy where there are grants and tax incentives, or London where green cars are VAT free with no congestion or parking fees.
There is also a lack of infrastructure in place with only one charging station.
So do you think it’s a failure on the part of the powers that be to introduce new incentives, or are the cars simply too expensive? What would it take for you to make the switch to a green car? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
