Gormley: One-in-ten vehicles to be electric by 2010

One-in-ten vehicles on Irish roads must be electrically powered by 2020, Environment Minister John Gormley vowed today.

Unveiling his second carbon budget, the Greens leader announced funding for cycle lanes in traffic-clogged Dublin and a scheme to retro-insulate council houses.

Mr Gormley also vowed that the national target for generating green electricity by 2020 will rise from 33% to 40%.

He said: “In coming weeks, the Government will be announcing the development of a strategy to have up to 10% of the road transport fleet electrically powered by 2020.”

The TD said Ireland should lead the world in exploiting new technologies being developed for electric vehicles.

A €5m funding package for cycle lanes in Dublin will include work on the city centre portion of the proposed Sutton to Sandycove Cycle Route.

The Government has also agreed to increase its target of producing electricity from renewable sources by 2020 from 33% to 40%.

Of the 42,000 cars that are now charged motor tax on the basis of emissions, 85% are smaller vehicles in the three lowest bands.

Mr Gormley said he hoped that increases in motor tax announced in the main Budget yesterday will encourage motorists to switch to vehicles with smaller engines.

The Government is also to carry out an audit of public housing to lay the foundation for a refitting programme to maximise energy efficiency.

Some €5m has been allocated for a pilot project to install better insulation to existing council homes.

New building standards require that homes must be 60% better insulated by 2010, in comparison with 2005.

Mr Gormley also said the latest Environmental Protection Agency figures showed that carbon emissions for 2007 had dropped 1% on the previous year.

“This is welcome – but does not take away from the huge challenges ahead,” he said.

The minister said that the Government had committed more resources to researching methods of tackling climate change.

A Cabinet sub-committee on Climate Change And Energy Security had been working well since its establishment last year, he added.

In addition, relevant Government ministers will form a think-tank to develop a ’green’ enterprise sector in Ireland which will provide jobs and investment.