Sales of ecofriendly cars zoom into the fast lane

SALES of green cars such as hybrids and flexible fuel vehicles reached new heights this year, with sales of the flexible fuel cars alone increasing elevenfold.

According to figures from the Revenue Commissioners, more than 3,000 eco-cars were bought here by the end of October. However, this figure pales in comparison with the overall total of 184,629 new cars sold in the first 10 months of 2007.

Revenue figures show 2,345 hybrids were taxed between January and October, while a further 903 flexible fuel cars were sold. In 2006, a mere 645 hybrids and 73 flexible fuel cars were sold.

Hybrids first hit this country in 2001.

Hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, feature a small fuel-efficient petrol engine combined with an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by batteries that recharge while you drive.

Flexible fuel vehicles, such as the Ford Focus FFV, can run on any mixture of petrol or E85 bioethanol, with no reduction in performance.

The flexibility of the car allows it to run even in areas where bio-ethanol outlets have not been established. Hybrid and flexible fuel cars are subject to just 50% of vehicle registration tax and according to the motor industry, this has increased their popularity.

Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) chief executive Cyril McHugh said car dealers were finding it hard to keep up with demand for eco-cars: “The dealers are trying to get them in as fast as they can, but manufacturers are facing big demand worldwide. Increases in the use of hybrid and FFVs will take time and already these figures show how greater availability of bio-ethanol is increasing sales.”

The SIMI said Ireland should look to Sweden where 20% of new cards are either hybrid or FFV. In Sweden, drivers of such cars are given free on-street parking, avail of tax breaks and also a scrappage scheme to encourage drivers to dispose of old, more environmentally unfriendly cars.