Towards the end of 2008, the Irish Government set a target that 10 per cent of all vehicles in its transport fleet be powered by electricity by 2020. Now more details have been revealed about the proposals.

The plans will work by introducing tax incentives for businesses to buy electric vehicles. According to the details, businesses will be able to write-off 100 per cent of the purchase cost against tax, courtesy of the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme.

In addition, €1million will be poured into the Sustainable Energy Ireland project, which will research, develop and demonstrate vehicles nationally. There will also be assistance for individuals to buy the electric cars – with a buyer’s guide and a cost of ownership calculator to be introduced by Sustainable Energy Ireland. Finally, the electric vehicle plans will also involve the establishment of a national task force to examine infrastructure options for a national roll-out of the vehicles.

According to the report by Green Car Congress, if implemented there will be around 250,000 electric cars on Irish roads over the next 11 years. Considerable investment is expected.