Mitsubishi Motors has signed an agreement with the Irish government and the country’s Electricity Supply Board (ESB) to further the market for electric cars in the country.
As part of plans to promote the use of electric cars, ESB also announced the start of Ireland’s first ecar trial-project this week, set to be conducted by Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, ESB and Mitsubishi announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this week. As part of the trial, the all-electric, zero emission Mitsubishi i-MiEVs will be used throughout Ireland to support the planning and implementation of the ESB nationwide charging infrastructure. Customer behaviour and attitudes research will be undertaken by Trinity College Dublin to understand consumers react to electric cars. The parties intend to make the vehicles available to a wide range of users – both residential and pilot corporate customers – and to promote EVs in light of the recently announced enhanced Government incentives.
Ireland is set to introduce €5,000 to buyers of electric cars as part of measure to help the country reach its target for 10 per cent target of all vehicles on Irish roads to be electric by 2020.
Minister Eamon Ryan said: “Today’s Memorandum with Mitsubishi and ESB’s trial with Trinity College is another important milestone in the electrification of the Irish motoring fleet. Ireland is leading the way and with such innovation from ESB, TCD and our new partnership with Mitsubishi, our international position is further strengthened. Irish drivers and the Irish economy will only benefit.”
A “Smart Home Charging” system will also be trialled which will allow the cars maximise the amount of energy they get from renewable sources, while also facilitating the operation of the electricity system. This is a key requirement for a successful transition to carbon neutral sustainable travel and ESB have committed to installing 1,500 publicly accessible charging stations, 2,000 domestic charging points and 30 fast charging units on a nationwide basis throughout Ireland by the end of 2011.
The Irish government has already signed an agreement with the Renault-Nissan Alliance which will see Nissan supply its all-electric, five-seater LEAF hatchback to Ireland in early 2011 while Renault will launch its light commercial electric vehicle, Kangoo Z.E., later in the year.
