The government of the Republic of Ireland has announced it aims to ensure that 10 per cent of vehicles on its roads are electric by 2020.
Within just twelve years, Ireland expects around a quarter of a million vehicles will be electrically powered although government is sketchy on the details of how the scheme will work the Irish Independent reports.
A national taskforce will examine how the infrastructure of charging stations and battery swapping facilities can be established. It will also address how to persuade motorists to make the switch to electrical vehicles and how the electricity will be produced with the emphasis being on renewable sources. Meanwhile the government has granted €1m funding to Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to research the development of new electric cars.
The newspaper reports that the scheme aims to reduce Ireland’s €6bn annual bill for imported oil and that Irish businesses will be able to write 100 per cent of the value of an electric vehicle against their tax bill. Addressing concerns over the viability of electric cars, Irish Energy Minister, Eamon Ryan said:
It’s absolutely achievable; it’s a radical shift.”
Adding: “I don’t think all electric cars are going to be little, they’re going to move to the large standard family car.”
