Govt launches €5k incentive to buy electric cars

The Government has announced a €5,000 incentive for electric vehicles, with 3,500 charge points to be rolled out by the ESB.

The announcement has been made along with Renault-Nissan, to form a partnership which aims to see 2,000 electric cars on Irish roads by 2011.

It includes the development of a nationwide electric car charging infrastructure by the ESB, the supply of electric cars by Renault-Nissan by 2011 and Government incentives to push the technology.

Anyone buying an electric car in the future will receive a €5,000 grant and will be exempt from VRT.