Charge towards electric cars begins
Sunday March 28 2010
A Major step into the future was taken on Friday when Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and ESB chief executive, Padraig McManus, launched the country's first electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
The charge points were unveiled in Dublin city centre and mark the beginning of a nationwide infrastructure.
Charge points will eventually be installed in homes, on-street and along motorways throughout the country.
Speaking at the launch of the charge points, Padraig McManus said ESB plans to build 3,500 charge points by the end of 2011 -- a total of 2,000 domestic units and a further 1,500 on-street charge points. Up to 30 fast chargers will also be installed by the end of next year, he added.
At least one will be built for every town with a population of more than 1,500.
The Government has set ambitious targets including:
10 per cent of all vehicles to be electric-run by 2020.
2,000 EVs by end of 2011.
6,000 EVs by end of 2012.
The 30 fast chargers to be built by 2011 will be located along all major inter-urban routes, 60km apart. Nine of these will be installed by the end of 2010 and twice that number will be built next year.
Minister Ryan described the development as "a genuine first for Ireland".
"Just over a year ago, the Government announced its intention that 10 per cent of the motoring fleet will be electric by 2020. We have seen great progress since. Ireland will be among the first in the world with this kind of nationwide infrastructure," he added.
It is estimated that running an electric car costs 3 cents per mile as opposed to 15 cent for a conventional car.
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